On March 29, 2021, the Texas House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs heard testimony regarding H.B. #2701, the “Defend the Guard Act.” Ten individuals spoke to the committee in person and remotely, including the bill’s sponsor Bryan Slaton (R-District 2) and eight military veterans. No person testified against the bill.
Below you will find links to each person’s testimony in Texas.
Rep. Bryan Slaton, freshman Republican legislator representing Texas House District 2.
Diego Rivera, a U.S. Army Ranger combat veteran and Director of Development at BringOurTroopsHome.US.
Scott Horton, Director of the Libertarian Institute, Editorial Director of Antiwar.com, and author of the books Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan and Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism.
Brian Sharpe, a U.S. Army veteran and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Jeff Lyons, a U.S. Navy (disabled) combat veteran and Donor Relations Manager at Young Americans for Liberty.
Mitch Fuller, a U.S. Army Reserves and Texas National Guard combat veteran and State Legislative Chair of the Texas VFW.
Matthew Hoh, a U.S. Marine Corps (disabled) combat veteran and Senior Fellow with the Center for International Policy.
Luis LaRotta, a U.S. Navy combat veteran who was the Republican nominee for Texas House District 148 in the 2020 election, and who is responsible for adding the “Defend the Guard” plank to the Texas GOP party platform.
Dan McKnight, a U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, U.S. Army, and Idaho National Guard combat veteran and Chairman of BringOurTroopsHome.US.
Kristoffer Celera, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
