U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to grant Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay to the Montana National Guard who have been activated to support the nation’s response to COVID-19.
“As of today, 127 members of the Montana National Guard are on duty screening people who could potentially carry COVID-19,” Daines wrote. “These citizen-soldiers are jeopardizing their own health and safety to keep us safe…I hope you will support my request to ensure the men and women on the front lines get the Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay they deserve.”
To read the full letter, click HERE.
Stakeholder Quote:
“The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Montana wishes to extend our thanks to Senator Daines for his thoughtful effort concerning extending hazard duty pay to our deployed National Guard members. While we believe this authority should not establish a permanent benefit for our National Guard members responding to any and all emergencies, the deployment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is an unusual circumstance that requires this consideration. Our National Guard members are “always ready, always there” and this response is a unique situation requiring unique support. Extending hazard duty benefits to our deployed members is a vital recognition of the dangers that our National Guard faces when called to duty.” – Dennis Stoner, President, Enlisted Association of the National Guard
Background:
Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country. To read about Daines’ COVID-19 related efforts click HERE.