[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, Governor Tim Walz co-chaired the Council of Governors meeting in Washington, D.C. The meeting focused on the progress made on issues of cybersecurity, emergency management and disaster response, issues impacting the Air and Army National Guard, workforce matters, and strategic defense budget trends.

“It was an honor to convene the bipartisan Council of Governors meeting today and discuss how we can work together to advance our common interests in homeland security and emergency management,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with my fellow governors and leaders across the federal government to advance the safety and security of each of our states.”

The President’s bipartisan Council of Governors was required by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, and established by Presidential executive order in January 2010, as a forum for governors to exchange views, information, or advice with the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the White House Homeland Security Council on matters involving the National Guard, homeland defense, civil support, and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities. Governor Walz, a 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard, was appointed by the President in 2021 to lead the council along with co-chair Vermont Governor Phil Scott. Walz was first appointed to the council in 2019.

The 28th plenary meeting was attended by leaders across the federal government: the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command General, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Executive Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Deputy Commandant of Operations for the Coast Guard, the President’s Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, and the Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.