Senate Committee needs research on bill for national guard

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The administration bill to establish a National Guard was introduced in the House and Senate last week but it is unlikely that any action will be taken on the bill until after the fiscal year 2022 budget hearings.

In the Senate, Senator Faiivae Alex Godinet to whom the bill was referred said that this is a complex matter which involves the federal government and their committee needs to conduct research. Senate President Tuaolo Fruean advised that the committee also looked at going off island to look at how National Guards operate off island and find out what resources are needed.

The bill proposes that the guard will be comprised of United States nationals who are residents of American Samoa and will consist of active and inactive US Army National Guard as well as US Air National Guard members.

If ordered to active duty, the bill provides that all officers and enlisted personal are entitled to the same oath, allowances and transportation-in-kind that officers and enlisted persons of the same rank and length of service in the Armed Forces of the United States receive for a similar period of service.