[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz chaired the Council of Governors’ 26th annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The President’s bipartisan Council of Governors was established by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 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 of national security, homeland defense, and disaster response and recovery. 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 Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Walz was first appointed to the council in 2019.

“The safety and security of each of our states is strengthened when we come together and work in a collaborative, bipartisan fashion,” said Governor Walz. “The Council of Governors remains united in our commitment to protecting our citizens. I look forward to continue working with my fellow governors and building this state-federal partnership.”

Today’s meeting focused on the progress made concerning issues of cybersecurity, emergency management and disaster response, issues impacting the Air and Army National Guard, workforce matters, strengthening state and federal cooperation to safeguard defense critical infrastructure and supply chain resiliency, and strategic defense budget trends.

The 26th plenary meeting was attended by leaders across the federal government: the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretaries of the Army and Air Force, 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 Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, and the Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.