U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-GA, says legislation he introduced late last week will “protect troops and taxpayers from being used as political cover for failed leadership.” McCormick has introduced the States Taking Accountability for Troops Engaged in Safety (STATES) Act, in direct response to the recent violent riots in Los Angeles and the resulting federal deployment of the National Guard.
“The bill ensures that states whose leaders fail to maintain law and order bear the financial burden—not the American taxpayer,” said McCormick.
According to McCormick, following widespread riots in Los Angele where federal immigration officers were assaulted and property destroyed, President Donald Trump invoked his authority under 10 U.S.C. § 12406 to deploy the National Guard to help restore peace. The Pentagon estimates the 60-day deployment will cost taxpayers approximately $134 million.
“If a state’s leaders refuse to protect their own citizens and property, the rest of the country shouldn’t have to pick up the tab,” said McCormick. “This legislation makes it clear: if you encourage lawlessness or fail to stop it, you pay for the consequences. Taxpayers in Georgia, Texas, Florida, and beyond should not be on the hook for California’s chaos.”
McCormick explained that The STATES Act addresses this issue by amending Title 10 U.S.C. § 12406 to include a new accountability mechanism. Within 30 days of a National Guard deployment’s conclusion, the federal government must determine whether the deployment resulted from a state’s deliberate actions or gross negligence. If so, the Departments of Treasury and Defense will calculate the total cost and deduct that amount from the federal funding allocated to the state in question.
“This is about restoring common sense and accountability. Governors can’t shirk their duty to maintain public safety while expecting the rest of the nation to pay the bill for their failure,” McCormick added. “The STATES Act protects both our troops and our taxpayers from being used as political cover for radical, failed leadership.”
McCormick says this bill is another step in his efforts to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across all levels of government. “The STATES Act marks a critical step in that mission.”
