Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) voted against House Republicans’ National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. Republicans attached the SAVE America Act – an extreme voter suppression bill –  to the legislation before sending it to the Senate.

 

Republican leadership also declined to include Congresswoman Ross’ bipartisan amendment with Representatives Greg Murphy (NC-03), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Don Davis (NC-01), Andy Barr (KY-06), and Tim Moore (NC-14), which would update the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to ensure all veterans’ claims receive a fair and timely judicial review. Despite broad bipartisan agreement, Republicans blocked the amendment from receiving a vote on the House floor. 

 

“The annual defense authorization should be a bipartisan opportunity to strengthen our national security and support North Carolina servicemembers, veterans, and their families,” said Congresswoman Ross. “Instead, House Republicans turned this year's defense bill into yet another vehicle for their partisan agenda.

 

“By attaching the SAVE America Act, Republicans chose to advance an extreme voter suppression measure that could disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans, including active duty servicemembers and an estimated 2 million North Carolina women whose birth certificates do not match their current legal names.

 

“At the same time, Republicans refused to consider serious proposals that would fulfill our nation’s promise to the brave women and men who have served in uniform, including my bipartisan Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act. These courageous veterans and their families have waited long enough for justice. They should never become collateral damage in partisan politics.”

 

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