2026 Legislative Workshop Success

The 2026 EANGUS Legislative Workshop was a major success, bringing members from across the country to Washington, D.C.

Workshop highlights:
• Members gained a deeper understanding of the federal legislative process
• Attendees heard from senior enlisted National Guard leadership
• Participants engaged with the first enlisted Guard members serving as Congressional Defense Fellows
• Members met directly with their Senators and Representatives

Key issues discussed on Capitol Hill:
• Duty Status Reform
• National Guard Relief Foundation recognition
• Shutdown Fairness Act
• Additional Guard priorities such as Childcare, No Tax on IDT.

These engagements brought renewed attention to Guard issues and generated meaningful traction. In the days following the workshop, congressional offices reached out to EANGUS for additional information, demonstrating strong continued interest.

During the Legislative Workshop, EANGUS recognized key leaders for their contributions to the National Guard:

• Gil Cisneros and Jack Bergman were honored for their leadership in advancing Duty Status Reform and championing policies that improve fairness and readiness for the National Guard.
• Frank Yoakum was recognized for his longstanding dedication to the National Guard and his continued support of the EANGUS mission.

Protecting Access to Health Care

EANGUS is actively working with state associations and partner organizations to address concerning state-level legislation.

• The FAIR Rx Act, introduced in states such as Tennessee, could limit access to prescriptions by restricting how TRICARE and the VA Community Care Network operate.
  • As currently written, this legislation risks reducing access to medications and care for Veterans, servicemembers, and their families.
  • EANGUS is coordinating with partners to educate lawmakers and advocate for changes that protect access to care.

Government Shutdown Advocacy

In January, the federal government experienced a brief shutdown. While it lasted longer than hoped, it was shorter than many feared. The disruption again highlighted the vulnerability of National Guard members during funding lapses.

Key advocacy efforts:
• Shutdown Fairness Act: Ensuring Guard members are paid during any future shutdown
• National Guard Relief Foundation Recognition: Working to have NGRF recognized under Title 10 as an official military relief society

Supporting Broader Guard and Veteran Priorities

EANGUS supports No Tax on Drill Pay legislation introduced by Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) which would eliminate federal income taxes on Inactive Duty Training (IDT) pay earned during drill weekends. This would reduce the financial burden on Guard and Reserve members who already incur out-of-pocket costs to serve.

EANGUS also supports the Veterans’ Bill of Rights, which would improve transparency, access to care, and accountability within the VA system. These efforts help ensure Guard Veterans can better understand and access the benefits they have earned.