Today, President Biden appointed nine governors as members of the Council of Governors for two-year terms. The bipartisan Council of Governors serves as the lead forum to strengthen partnerships between the Federal government and State governments to better protect our nation from threats to our homeland security and all types of hazards. The Council focuses on matters of homeland security; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of state and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest, including those involving the National Guard. Federal-state cooperation is critical to protecting communities given the evolving challenges and threats facing our country, which range from extreme weather to domestic and international terrorism to a global pandemic. The Council of Governors will closely coordinate with the Biden-Harris administration to bolster preparedness, resilience and response on behalf of all Americans in times of need.

The Council includes leaders across the Federal government: the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, the Deputy Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Other key Federal officials such as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are regular participants.

President’s Council of Governors:

• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Co-Chair
• Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Co-Chair
• Delaware Governor John Carney
• Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards
• Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
• Oregon Governor Kate Brown
• Utah Governor Spencer Cox
• Vermont Governor Phil Scott
• Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon

The nine Governors will join Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on the council. Governor Lee’s term expires in 2022.

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