Bill Summary
This legislation proposes the establishment of a service ribbon to recognize members of the National Guard who perform homeland defense duties. It outlines the legal authority for the President to mobilize the National Guard in response to national security threats and highlights the significant contributions of the National Guard in maintaining public safety, particularly during periods of civil unrest and crime.
Key points include:
1. **Purpose**: The ribbon is intended to honor National Guard members for their service in homeland defense operations.
2. **Authority**: The Secretary of the military department can award the ribbon, which is to be designed and approved by the Secretary of Defense.
3. **Provisions for Families**: If a member of the National Guard passes away, the ribbon can be awarded posthumously to their next of kin.
4. **Regulatory Framework**: The distribution of the ribbon will follow regulations established by the respective military departments, aiming for uniformity across the armed services.
This legislation emphasizes the importance of the National Guard in ensuring homeland security and public safety, while formally recognizing their contributions through a service ribbon.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation regarding the creation of a service ribbon for members of the National Guard who perform homeland defense duty could affect people:
1. **Recognition and Morale Boost for Service Members**: The establishment of a service ribbon specifically for National Guard members who perform homeland defense duty can serve as a tangible form of recognition for their service. This can boost morale among service members, as they feel appreciated and honored for their contributions during critical operations. Such recognition can also enhance camaraderie within the National Guard, encouraging members to take pride in their roles and maintain high standards of service.
2. **Support for Families of Deceased Service Members**: The provision allowing for the issuance of the service ribbon to the next-of-kin of deceased members provides a way to honor fallen troops and recognize their sacrifices. This can be particularly meaningful for families, offering them a sense of closure and validation of their loved ones' contributions to national security. It can also foster a sense of community support for military families, as they receive acknowledgement of their loved ones' sacrifices in service to the country.
3. **Impact on Public Perception and Trust**: The introduction of the service ribbon could influence public perception of the National Guard and its role in domestic security. By formally recognizing the contributions of National Guard troops involved in homeland defense operations, the legislation may help to strengthen trust and support among civilians. As communities see their National Guard members being celebrated for their service, it can enhance public attitudes toward military involvement in domestic affairs, potentially leading to greater community engagement and support for public safety initiatives.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8131 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8131
To authorize the creation of a service ribbon to be awarded to a member
of the National Guard who performs homeland defense duty.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 27, 2026
Mr. Higgins of Louisiana introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the creation of a service ribbon to be awarded to a member
of the National Guard who performs homeland defense duty.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) Section 252 of title 10, United States Code, authorizes
the President, whenever the President considers that unlawful
obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion
against the authority of the United States, make it
impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any
State by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, he may
call into Federal service the militia of any State, and use
such of the Armed Forces, as he considers necessary to enforce
those laws or to suppress the rebellion.
(2) The National Guard, under title 32 and title 10
authority, ensures the survivability of Federal law enforcement
personnel, facilities, and citizens, in the protection of the
Homeland and the American way of life.
(3) President Trump, by Presidential Memorandum titled
``Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the
United States and Repelling Invasions'' dated April 11, 2025,
granted authority to the Secretary of War to authorize and
request that State Governors order members of the National
Guard under authority of title 32 of the United States Code to
conduct Department of Defense activities, including, as
appropriate, to support law enforcement activities, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, border security operations, and
provide aviation, reconnaissance, and logistical expertise in
support of Department of Homeland Security mission requests.
(4) President Trump, by Presidential Memorandum titled
``Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Homeland
Security Functions'' dated June 7, 2025, directed the lawful
mobilization of at least 2,000 National Guard troops under
section 12406 of title 10, United States Code, to protect
Department of Homeland Security personnel and Federal property
where unlawful violent protests against necessary Federal
enforcement actions were occurring.
(5) The National Guard, lawfully mobilized in support of
President Trump's Presidential Executive Order 14333
``Declaring a Crime Emergency in the District of Columbia''
dated August 11, 2025, the National Guard supported more than
1,914 arrests between August and September 2025, removing 198
firearms from the street and disrupting homeless encampments,
providing clean and safe streets and parks to the citizens of
the city.
(6) The District of Columbia, with a strong National Guard
and Federal law enforcement presence, saw a decline in overall
crime of 17 percent in 2025 compared with the same period in
the previous year.
(7) The District of Columbia saw a decline in homicides of
32 percent in 2025 compared with the same period in the
previous year.
(8) The District of Columbia saw a decline in assaults with
dangerous weapons of 10 percent in 2025 compared with the same
period in the previous year.
(9) The District of Columbia saw a decline in robberies of
37 percent in 2025 compared with the same period in the
previous year.
(10) The National Guard, lawfully mobilized in support of
President Trump's Presidential Memorandum titled ``Restoring
Law and Order in Memphis,'' dated September 15, 2025, to
restore law and order in Memphis, Tennessee, supported public
safety and law enforcement operations.
(11) The Honorable Pete Hegseth, as authorized by President
Trump's Presidential Memorandum titled ``Department of War
Security for the Protection of Federal Personnel and Property
in Illinois'' dated October 4, 2025, extended National Guard
troop deployments to Illinois in response to credible threats
of continued violence and interference with officers upholding
the laws of the United States, to protect vital ICE, FPS, and
other Federal personnel.
(12) The National Guard has provided safety, security, and
predictability to law-abiding American citizens in American
cities that were previously overrun by criminal illegal aliens,
gang members, and criminals threatening the peace.
(13) National Guard troops have contributed to the most
significant one-year drop in homicides on record.
(14) National Guard troop presence in communities
contributed to a national decline in rapes by 4,175 monthly
occurrences between June and December of 2025.
(15) National Guard troop presence in communities
contributed to a national decline in robberies by 5,604 monthly
occurrences between June and December of 2025.
(16) National Guard troop presence in communities
contributed to a national decline in aggravated assaults by
27,521 monthly occurrences between June and December 2025.
(17) The National Guard, in support of President Trump's
strong commitment to the American people by setting Federal
policies in support of public safety and border security,
contributed to a decline in opioid-related deaths by 25,695
monthly occurrences between June and October 2025.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF SERVICE RIBBON FOR A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
GUARD WHO PERFORMS HOMELAND DEFENSE DUTY.
(a) Ribbon Authorized.--The Secretary of the military department
concerned may award a service ribbon to a member of the National Guard
who performs duty under chapter 9 of title 32, United States Code.
(b) Design.--The ribbon shall be of an appropriate design approved
by the Secretary of Defense.
(c) Issuance to Next-of-Kin.--If the member is deceased, the
Secretary of the military department concerned may issue such a ribbon
to the next-of-kin of the member.
(d) Regulations.--The award of a ribbon under this section shall be
subject to such regulations as the Secretaries of the military
departments concerned shall prescribe for purposes of this section. The
Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any regulations prescribed under
this subsection are uniform to the extent practicable.
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