Extension of Governors' Use of the National Guard To Respond to COVID-19 and To Facilitate Economic Recovery

This memorandum extends and modifies federal cost-sharing for Iowa's National Guard COVID-19 response. It provides a 100% federal cost share (retroactive to August 3, 2020 through December 31, 2020) by adding a 25% FEMA supplement to the existing 75% share, then transitions to a 75% federal cost share from January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 78947

Impact dates

Dec 31, 2020
Termination of additional 25% federal cost share for Iowa National Guard

Key directives

Direct FEMA to fund additional 25% of Iowa National Guard emergency assistance activities, retroactive to August 3, 2020
Limit additional 25% cost share to orders through December 31, 2020
Direct FEMA to fund 75% of Iowa National Guard emergency assistance activities beginning January 1, 2021
Limit 75% cost share to orders through March 31, 2021
Authorize Secretary of Defense to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Retroactive 25% additional federal cost share takes effect for Iowa National Guard COVID-19 operations back to August 3, 2020

Near term (90d)

100% federal cost share available through December 31, 2020
Transition to 75% federal cost share begins January 1, 2021

Long term

75% federal cost share continues through March 31, 2021
Potential uncertainty about cost-sharing beyond March 31, 2021

Risks & tensions

Narrow geographic scope (Iowa only) limits national impact
Retroactive funding to August 3, 2020 suggests prior administrative or budgetary dispute now resolved
Declining federal support (100% to 75%) may strain state budget as pandemic continues
March 31, 2021 endpoint creates cliff; no guidance on continuation beyond that date
Subject to availability of appropriations creates funding uncertainty