Press ReleaseUrgent2026-04-14

Blackburn, Van Epps Introduce Legislation to Ensure National Guard Members Receive Federal Benefits

Foreign PolicyDefenseCrime & Justice

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This press release from Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) was published on 2026-04-14 and titled "Blackburn, Van Epps Introduce Legislation to Ensure National Guard Members Receive Federal Benefits". It focuses on foreign policy and touches on defense, crime and justice.

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Blackburn, Van Epps Introduce Legislation to Ensure National Guard Members Receive Federal Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps (R-Tenn.) introduced the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act to ensure that National Guard members patrolling U.S. cities receive active-duty benefits for their service. Last month, President Trump announced National Guardsmen serving on the Memphis Safe Task Force and in other cities would receive deployment pay and benefits equal to those of active-duty troops. "The Memphis Safe Task Force has successfully driven crime down by 43%, and thanks to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, Tennessee National Guardsmen are now receiving the federal benefits they have earned while restoring law and order," said Senator Blackburn. "The Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act would ensure National Guard members get the benefits they-ve earned when they are called up to support federally directed public safety missions, regardless of how the operation is designated." "As an active member of the National Guard, I appreciate the impact of the Tennessee National Guard-s work to make Memphis safe again. I applaud President Trump's directive extending national emergency-level benefits to Guardsmen serving in the Memphis Safe Task Force, and I am proud to co-lead the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act with Senator Marsha Blackburn to codify that policy permanently into law. This legislation ensures that National Guard personnel serving full-time in support of federal agencies such as ICE, DEA, and ATF receive the benefits their service deserves," said Representative Van Epps. BACKGROUND The Memphis Safe Task Force was established on September 29, 2025, to combat violent crime in the city of Memphis. This task force is being coordinated by local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as the Tennessee National Guard. Since its launch, the Task Force has driven down overall crime by 43 percent compared to a year ago. Last month, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth took action to ensure National Guard members serving on the Task Force receive the same benefits as active-duty troops. Prior to this, Tennessee National Guard members supporting "Restoring Law and Order in Memphis" were ineligible for benefits typically associated with extended, involuntary service because the mission was not designated as a national emergency. While the Trump administration-s action resolves the issue for this mission, gaps remain in statute that could affect future operations. GUARD EQUAL BENEFITS FOR FEDERAL MISSIONS ACT The Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act would ensure that any future deployment of National Guard members under 32 U.S.C. &sect; 502(f) in support of federally directed public safety operations is treated as qualifying service for federal benefits, regardless of whether the mission is formally designated as a national emergency. This bill would provide that full-time National Guard duty performed under 32 U.S.C. &sect; 502(f) shall be treated as service in response to a national emergency if such duty is: Authorized by the President or the Secretary of War; Performed in direct support of federally directed public safety operations, including those conducted in coordination with federal agencies; and Carried out for the purpose of addressing significant criminal activity, drug trafficking, organized crime, or other threats to public safety as determined by the Secretary of War. RELATED Blackburn Joins President Trump in Memphis to Tout Success of Memphis Safe Task Force PHOTO: Blackburn Joins Attorney General Bondi for Memphis Safe Task Force Briefing, Serves Dinner to Task Force Members President Trump Is Making Memphis Safe Again Click here for bill text.

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Blackburn, Van Epps Introduce Legislation to Ensure National Guard Members Receive Federal Benefits WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps (R-Tenn.) introduced the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act to ensure that National Guard members patrolling U.S. cities receive active-duty benefits for their service. Last month, President Trump announced National Guardsmen serving on the Memphis Safe Task Force and in other cities would receive deployment pay and benefits equal to those of active-duty troops. "The Memphis Safe Task Force has successfully driven crime down by 43%, and thanks to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, Tennessee National Guardsmen are now receiving the federal benefits they have earned while restoring law and order," said Senator Blackburn. "The Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act would ensure National Guard members get the benefits they-ve earned when they are called up to support federally directed public safety missions, regardless of how the operation is designated." "As an active member of the National Guard, I appreciate the impact of the Tennessee National Guard-s work to make Memphis safe again. I applaud President Trump's directive extending national emergency-level benefits to Guardsmen serving in the Memphis Safe Task Force, and I am proud to co-lead the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act with Senator Marsha Blackburn to codify that policy permanently into law. This legislation ensures that National Guard personnel serving full-time in support of federal agencies such as ICE, DEA, and ATF receive the benefits their service deserves," said Representative Van Epps. BACKGROUND The Memphis Safe Task Force was established on September 29, 2025, to combat violent crime in the city of Memphis. This task force is being coordinated by local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as the Tennessee National Guard. Since its launch, the Task Force has driven down overall crime by 43 percent compared to a year ago. Last month, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth took action to ensure National Guard members serving on the Task Force receive the same benefits as active-duty troops. Prior to this, Tennessee National Guard members supporting "Restoring Law and Order in Memphis" were ineligible for benefits typically associated with extended, involuntary service because the mission was not designated as a national emergency. While the Trump administration-s action resolves the issue for this mission, gaps remain in statute that could affect future operations. GUARD EQUAL BENEFITS FOR FEDERAL MISSIONS ACT The Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act would ensure that any future deployment of National Guard members under 32 U.S.C. § 502(f) in support of federally directed public safety operations is treated as qualifying service for federal benefits, regardless of whether the mission is formally designated as a national emergency. This bill would provide that full-time National Guard duty performed under 32 U.S.C. § 502(f) shall be treated as service in response to a national emergency if such duty is: Authorized by the President or the Secretary of War; Performed in direct support of federally directed public safety operations, including those conducted in coordination with federal agencies; and Carried out for the purpose of addressing significant criminal activity, drug trafficking, organized crime, or other threats to public safety as determined by the Secretary of War. RELATED Blackburn Joins President Trump in Memphis to Tout Success of Memphis Safe Task Force PHOTO: Blackburn Joins Attorney General Bondi for Memphis Safe Task Force Briefing, Serves Dinner to Task Force Members President Trump Is Making Memphis Safe Again Click here for bill text.