Defend the Guard Act; create to require official declaration of war before national guard are called for active duty combat.

HB 1056, the "Defend the Guard Act," would require the U.S. Congress to formally declare war or take specific action under the Constitution before Mississippi National Guard members can be deployed to active combat. The bill directly affects Mississippi's National Guard by blocking their release from state control for combat missions unless Congress has declared war or explicitly authorized deployment under Article I, Section 8 (e.g., to execute federal law, suppress insurrection, or repel invasion). It mandates the governor to take all necessary actions to comply with this requirement. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.