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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Congressional Hearing on Military Deployment to the Southern Border

Original title: [H.A.S.C. No. 116-2]DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S SUPPORT TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER

January 1, 2019

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing addresses the policy and operational implications of deploying military personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border, a departure from the traditional reliance on National Guard and Reserve forces for domestic border support.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Active Duty military personnel

These service members are subject to deployment orders for border security operations.

National Guard and Reserve members

These personnel are historically utilized for border security operations under Title 32.

Department of Defense

The agency is responsible for executing the border deployment policy and managing the impact on military readiness.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on January 29, 2019, to examine the Department of Defense's use of , National Guard, and Reserve military personnel for border security operations. Lawmakers questioned officials on the rationale for using Active Duty troops, which is less common than using Guard or Reserve forces, and the potential impact of these deployments on military readiness.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on January 29, 2019, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
  • The committee examined the deployment of Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve military members to the southern border.
  • The Chairman noted that using Active Duty personnel for border security is an unusual step compared to the historical use of Title 32 Guard and Reserve forces.
  • The committee established a 5-minute rule for member questions and witness responses to ensure all members could participate.
  • Witnesses included John Rood (Under Secretary of Defense for Policy) and Vice Admiral Michael Gilday (Director of Operations, Joint Staff).
  • The committee sought to clarify the number of Active Duty members deployed and the future plans for these deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was this hearing held?
To understand the Department of Defense's policy and operational plan regarding the deployment of military personnel to the southern border.
What is the difference between the deployments discussed?
The hearing contrasted the use of military personnel with the more traditional use of National Guard and Reserve forces under for border operations.

Why It Matters

This hearing addresses the policy and operational implications of deploying military personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border, a departure from the traditional reliance on National Guard and Reserve forces for domestic border support.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Shift in Border Deployment Strategy

The hearing highlights a transition from the traditional use of National Guard/Reserve forces to the use of Active Duty personnel for border security.

Connected Entities

personWilliam M. ThornberryRanking Member of the House Armed Services CommitteeMap →
personJohn RoodUnder Secretary of Defense for PolicyMap →
personMichael GildayVice Admiral, Director of Operations (J3), Joint StaffMap →
personAdam SmithChairman of the House Armed Services CommitteeMap →
organizationHouse Armed Services CommitteeCongressional committee overseeing the Department of DefenseMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy60
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment20
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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