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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri bill restricts deployment of National Guard to active combat without congressional declaration of war
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsors: Mike Costlow and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
House Bill 1729 prohibits the Missouri National Guard from entering unless the United States Congress passes an , while allowing the governor to consent to deployments under of the United States Code. The measure takes effect on January first of the year following notice that at least ten other states have enacted similar legislation.
The measure establishes a statutory restriction on state military deployments, requiring specific federal action before troops can participate in overseas armed conflicts while preserving domestic training and support authorities.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Missouri National Guard
Members cannot be released into active duty combat without an official congressional declaration of war.
Governor of Missouri
Must take all actions necessary to comply with the combat deployment restrictions while retaining Title 32 deployment authority.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Defend the Guard Act do?
Does the bill prevent the governor from deploying the Guard under Title 32?
When does the law go into effect?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy75Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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