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New Hampshire Delegation Urges Exemption from National Guard Redundancy Cuts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New Hampshire's Congressional delegation has come together to warn of devastating consequences if the National Guard proceeds with planned cuts to its civilian workforce. As the Air National Guard (ANG) prepares to slash 10.7% of its federal civilians, a group of lawmakers is urging General Steven Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to exempt critical safety roles, including firefighters and air traffic controllers, from these cuts. The delegation, consisting of Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan, and Representative Chris Pappas, emphasizes that these personnel are essential to supporting emergency services in the region, particularly at Portsmouth International Airport.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New Hampshire delegation consists of Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan, and Representative Chris Pappas, who are urging the National Guard to exempt critical safety roles from redundancy cuts.
  • The proposed 10.7% reduction to federal civilians at the Air National Guard (ANG) could devastate the important role Pease Air National Guard Base plays in supporting emergency services in the region.
  • The delegation highlighted the critical need for air traffic controllers, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is facing a historic shortage of air traffic controllers, needing to hire 3,000 more to meet current demand.
  • Since President Trump took office, the New Hampshire delegation has worked to protect civilian workers who play a critical role in maintaining U.S. national security.
  • The delegation emphasized that the proposed cuts could have long-lasting safety and operational impacts not just to New Hampshire but across the country.

Statistics:

  • 51 out of 96 Title 5 civilian employees at Pease Air National Guard Base are firefighters or air traffic controllers.
  • The Air Force faced its highest mishap rate in three years in fiscal year 2023.
  • The Army faced its highest mishap rate since 2008 in fiscal year 2024.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) needs to hire 3,000 more air traffic controllers to meet current demand.

Sources:

  • The New Hampshire Delegation, as cited in the press release, dated [no date provided].
  • Office of New Hampshire Rep. Maggie Goodlander. (n.d.). Press Release: New Hampshire Delegation Urges Exemption from National Guard Redundancy Cuts.

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