The Reserve Organization of America has launched an intensive congressional engagement campaign, meeting with nearly 20 offices of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to advance its top priorities for the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Following the formal submission of its priorities to the Committees — including a statement and letter from ROA Chief Executive Officer, retired Army Maj. Gen. John B. Hashem — ROA moved directly to the Hill to identify and solidify champions where needed, and to reinforce existing relationships with members already committed to the association’s agenda. Meetings were substantive exchanges that allowed ROA to better understand the legislative landscape and sharpen its advocacy accordingly.
“Meetings are going well thus far,” said Matthew Schwartzman, ROA’s Director of Legislation and Military Policy. “The vast majority of our priorities already have congressional champions, with potentially more on the horizon following this first round of meetings. We look forward to continuing these conversations as congressional availability allows.”
ROA’s three top priorities for the FY 2027 NDAA are:
Duty Status Reform — ROA is working alongside Rep. Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) in the House, with Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) expected to lead companion efforts in the Senate, to modernize and clarify the duty status framework for Reserve Component members. Because the bill has been referred to multiple congressional committees in the House, procedural obstacles may complicate its inclusion in the base text of the authorization bill. Conversations are ongoing about whether an alternative approach to advancing the legislation is feasible. ROA remains optimistic, however, as the question of committee referral on the Senate side has yet to be determined — potentially opening a cleaner path forward.
Prohibiting Divestment of Army Reserve MEDEVAC Capability — ROA is actively supporting the RESCUE Act, championed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the Senate, where it has been reported to have strong prospects. ROA is simultaneously coordinating with House Readiness Subcommittee staff and Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) on similar language to protect this critical medical evacuation capability.
Reserve Forces Travel Fairness Act — Drafted by ROA, this legislation is being spearheaded by Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam) in the House, with companion Senate sponsorship requests currently pending.
Congressional offices engaged during this campaign include:
Senate: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sen. Angus King (I-Maine)
House: Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr. (D-Calif.), Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam)
Staff: Professional staff of the House Armed Services Subcommittees on Personnel and Readiness