Why did Congress reject George Washington's proposed national militia system after the Revolution?

Congress rejected George Washington’s proposal for a centrally coordinated national militia system in the Militia Act of 1792 primarily due to two concerns:

• Federal Power: There was significant apprehension that the proposal would concentrate excessive authority within the federal government, threatening the balance of power established by the Constitution.1
• State Interests: State militia officers feared that centralizing the military structure would diminish their own local power and prestige.1

Washington had envisioned a national militia to replace the unreliable, independent state forces that had struggled during the American Revolution. He sought a system where all units were uniformly trained and equipped to serve as a reliable nucleus for national defense alongside a small regular army. However, the political resistance from those prioritizing state sovereignty ultimately led to the rejection of his blueprint.1