Walz Tapped to Co-Chair President’s Council of Governors

(KNSI) – President Joe Biden has appointed Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine as co-chairs of the Council of Governors.

The bipartisan council is made up of ten governors that advise the White House Homeland Security Council, Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense on state and federal military activities, National Guard actions and civil support.

“I am honored to be appointed as co-chair to lead this bipartisan group of governors to continue to strengthen the state-federal partnership on matters related to the National Guard and civil support missions,” said Walz. “This has been an historic year. In addition to their federal mission, the National Guard was critical in responding to civil unrest and helping our nation fight COVID-19. I look forward to continuing to work with other governors and our federal partners to support the National Guard and advise on matters related to homeland defense and civil support.”

The state’s National Guard members have been mobilized to support the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping long-term care facilities that had staffing shortages and hosting COVID-19 community vaccination sites. Walz’s office says the Minnesota National Guard’s COVID-19 mission will end in mid-July.

Walz served in the Minnesota National Guard for almost 25 years, achieving the rank of Command Sergeant Major.

In addition to Walz and DeWine, the governors of Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming round out the council.

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