McCaul Cosponsors Resolution Honoring U.S. National Guard

I recently cosponsored a bipartisan resolution led by Congressmen Steve Womack (AR-03) and Seth Moulton (MA-06) to honor and thank the U.S. National Guardsmen and women who bravely protected the Capitol throughout the week of the 59th Presidential Inauguration. More than 26,000 members of the National Guard – including over 1,000 from Texas – came to Washington, D.C. to ensure a peaceful transition of power. Below is a statement I made on the resolution:

We owe a great deal to the men and women who traveled from all over the country to stand watch over the U.S. Capitol. As I have said before, a peaceful transition of power shows the world that the American values of democracy and freedom work. I am extremely thankful to the members of our National Guard as they selflessly carried out their duties – not just last week, but at all times – to protect this nation and its citizens.

The full text of the resolution may be viewed below:

Honoring and thanking the members of the National Guard who were deployed to District of Columbia and the National Capital region in support of civil authorities for the Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Devi Harris as 49th Vice President of the United States.

Whereas since 1636 the United States National Guard has served the American people in a variety of roles ranging from—

1. homeland defense;
2. overseas combat;
3. humanitarian aid; and
4. defense support for civil authorities;

Whereas the National Guard is comprised of 444,600 individuals from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam, and the Virgin Islands of the United States;

Whereas members of the National Guard serve their country and their communities on a daily basis;

Whereas on January 6, 2021, during a joint session of Congress to count states’ electoral votes, a violent, deadly attack occurred on the United States Capitol and Capitol Complex;

Whereas beginning on January 7, 2021, over 26,700  guardsmen from the 50 states, the Territories, and the District of Columbia deployed to the National Capital region to support the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Park Police, and other federal law enforcement agencies during the Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Devi Harris as 49th Vice President of the United States;

Whereas, in keeping with the National Guard’s motto of “Always Ready, Always There!”, these members of the National Guard deployed on a no-notice deployment to aid law enforcement in creating a secure environment for the 59th Inauguration Ceremonies;

Whereas throughout their deployments to the National Capital region, the members of the National Guard were instrumental in providing a safe, secure environment for one of the hallmarks of our republic, the peaceful transfer of power;

Whereas, throughout their time supporting civil authorities in the District of Columbia, there were no incidents of violence threatening the Inaugural ceremonies;

Whereas the members of the National Guard completed their mission while also dealing with, and working to mitigate, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;

Whereas some members of the National Guard will remain in the National Capital region over the coming months to ensure stability and security;

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

1. Sends its sincere gratitude to the over 26,700 members of the National Guard who deployed to Washington, D.C., and the National Capital Region, at a moment’s notice in support of the peaceful transfer of power to Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Devi Harris as 49th Vice President of the United States; and
2. Commends the guardsmen and the law enforcement agencies who ensured a safe, secure environment for the 59th Inauguration.