Schiff, Members of Congress Urge Authorization of California National Guard to Expand Humanitarian Response to Ukraine

Rep. Adam Schiff

Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) and 10 bipartisan members of the California delegation and the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus delivered a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling on the departments to grant authority to the California National Guard to expand its support for humanitarian response efforts in Ukraine.

“In the face of Russia’s indiscriminate attacks, a humanitarian and refugee crisis not seen in Europe since World War II is ongoing,” the letter states. “We believe the Guard’s existing relationship with Ukraine puts it in a unique position to play a role in supporting our humanitarian response.”

Last month, Russia invaded the Ukraine forcing millions of refugees into European countries, Estonia, France and Austria.

The California National Guard maintains a close, 29-year relationship with the Ukrainian military through the state partnership program.

The California National Guard has had a close working relationship with the Ukraine military and the Ukraine National Guard since 1993 and has trained with the Ukrainian military during that time. That training has come into play since the crisis began.

Despite the direct connection between the Guard and the Ukrainian military, the Guard’s response to the crisis in Ukraine has been limited due to administrative and procedural hurdles that the members ask Secretaries Austin and Blinken to suspend.

“While we have the utmost confidence that the California National Guard is more than capable, willing, and able to do more, without the federal government taking key steps to activate the required authorities, they will be unable to expand their efforts,” the members wrote.

Among other capabilities, the California Air National Guard could use its airlift capability to bring food, medical, and other humanitarian material to the region. Americans are eager to contribute to the effort and this would provide an additional mechanism to do so.