Currently, two National Guard members might do similar, high-risk work, but one could receive fewer benefits simply because their mission was labeled 'law enforcement support' rather than a 'national emergency.' This bill attempts to close that gap. If it becomes law, it could make it easier for the government to recruit and keep National Guard members for long-term missions at the border or in anti-drug task forces by offering them better long-term financial security.

If the bill does not pass, Guard members on these specific missions will continue to earn retirement and education credits at a slower rate than those deployed for traditional emergencies, potentially leading to lower morale or staffing shortages for federal law enforcement support roles.