This past week, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, to better ensure our military is prepared to combat increasing threats around the world while improving the pay and benefits for our U.S. military servicemembers and their families.
Included in the FY26 NDAA is the Lumbee Fairness Act, granting the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina with long-overdue federal recognition and all the benefits that come with it. If the Senate passes the NDAA this coming week (and it most likely will), Lumbee recognition will finally be law!
The House also passed H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act, which includes three of my bills. These common-sense reforms will cut red tape, streamline review procedures, and enhance regulatory clarity under the Clean Water Act (CWA). These changes will also improve permitting efficiency dramatically by providing more predictable guidance for applicants and clearer standards for permitting agencies, which will help to drive down costs. Additional details about these important bills and more are below.
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With my support, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House Amended S.1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This legislation authorizes critical funding and resources for the Department of War and advances key priorities for North Carolina and the country. The passage of the FY26 NDAA underscores the commitment of Congress to national defense and economic growth across the country.
Key highlights include: - Provides funding and new authorities to the Department of War to assist the DHS in securing America’s borders.
- Delivers a 3.8% quality-of-life pay raise for servicemembers, improving benefits and support for military families.
- Authorizes funding for projects of national, regional, and local significance to strengthen global competitiveness.
- Codifies Trump's Anti-DEI Executive Orders, ending left-wing ideology in the military.
- Eliminates $20 billion in wasteful federal spending.
- Includes new authorities to support President Trump's efforts to demand our allies to pay more for their own defense.
- Supports our manufacturing and shipbuilding industries.
Other Rouzer Legislation in the Package in addition to Lumbee Recognition: - The Atlantic Coast Shipping Safety Act (H.R. 6410): Provides long-overdue certainty for maritime vessels operating along the Atlantic Coast and safeguards port communities.
- The Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act (H.R. 5157): Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act aligning timelines of multiple advanced manufacturing initiatives from every four years to the same cycle.
The bill now heads back to the Senate where it will likely be voted on mid-week. Once passed in the Senate, the legislation will head to the President's desk to be signed into law.
You can read a detailed summary of the FY26 NDAA here.
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The passage of the FY26 NDAA, which includes the Lumbee Fairness Act, marks a historic milestone for granting long-overdue full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. I am proud to support the Lumbee people and work to ensure they receive the same rights and protections as every other federally recognized tribe across the country. This moment reflects the strength of bipartisan cooperation and perseverance beyond measure. (Passage in the Senate later this week will ensure the provision becomes law. What a Christmas this will be for the Lumbee Tribe!)
Background:
The Lumbee Tribe consists of 55,000 members, making it the largest American-Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River and the ninth largest tribe in the nation. Members of the Lumbee Tribe reside primarily in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties.
In 1885, the State of North Carolina formally recognized the Lumbee Tribe. In 1956, Congress recognized the Lumbee as an Indian Tribe when they enacted the Lumbee Act, but the bill unfairly denied the Lumbee any federal services and benefits associated with such recognition. For almost 70 years, the Lumbee have continued to fight for full and complete federal recognition.
During the previous Congress, I introduced the Lumbee Fairness Act, along with Senator Thom Tillis (R‑NC), who introduced the companion bill in the Senate. The legislation successfully passed the House with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, it was not considered in the Senate, requiring the process to start anew during this Congress. But for the constant work and determination of Senator Thom Tillis, the legislation would have likely died again in the U.S. Senate this time as well.
Additionally, President Trump's support of the Lumbee Tribe in their efforts to achieve full federal recognition was instrumental to our success. On January 23, 2025, just days after he was sworn into office, he signed an Executive Order to give them full federal recognition. You can watch his remarks here.
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With my strong support and advocacy, the House passed H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act, which includes three bills I introduced — all of which will help drive down costs. (Unnecessary regulations drive up the cost of housing, food production, as well as everything else. Broadly speaking, unnecessary regulations cost consumers trillions annually.) These common-sense reforms will cut red tape, streamline review procedures, and enhance regulatory clarity under the Clean Water Act (CWA). They will also increase permitting efficiency by providing more predictable guidance for applicants and clearer standards for permitting agencies.
I spoke on the House Floor in support of the PERMIT Act. You can watch my remarks here.
Included legislation in the PERMIT Act: - The Improving Water Quality Certifications and American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3928): Clarifies the process and scope of Section 401 CWA approvals by states ending the weaponization of the water quality certification process that has been stalling critical infrastructure and energy projects.
- The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act (H.R. 3824): Eliminates a duplicative regulatory process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the use of pesticides while maintaining public health and environmental protections.
- The Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act (H.R. 3927): Codifies longstanding, historical interpretation and practice around the Nationwide Permit (NWP) process and provides clarity regarding several areas where challenges have risen against the well-established process.
The PERMIT Act will now head to the Senate for consideration. For a summary of all provisions included in H.R. 3898, click here.
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It was a pleasure meeting with leadership of The Campbell's Company this week. We had a productive discussion about Campbell’s ready‑to‑serve soup and broth facility in Maxton, NC, a cornerstone of Robeson County’s economy since 1978. The site is shared with a Silgan Containers plant, which helps supply the tin cans for the soup line. Together, these operations support roughly 3,000 jobs and play a vital role in the local community. In Congress, I look forward to supporting manufacturing efforts to strengthen our district’s manufacturers.
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My office is pleased to announce the United States Air Force Academy Summer Seminar 2026 is now accepting applications! Applications are open now through January 15, 2026, for current high school juniors.
The Summer Seminar program provides students with a unique opportunity to experience campus life firsthand while immersing themselves in the exceptional academic and leadership environment of a U.S. service academy. Since many students are not fully familiar with the service academies or the nomination and admissions processes, this program serves as an important introduction.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please check out the attached flyer. Students may also access the Air Force Academy Summer Seminar application directly through the USAFA Admissions website.
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For this week’s good news story, I would like to spotlight the ribbon cutting for Dosher Memorial Hospital’s new Emergency Department. The grand opening celebration was held on Thursday, December 11, marking a major milestone made possible through the incredible support of township taxpayers and the dedication of hospital staff.
Let’s join together in celebrating this state‑of‑the‑art facility, which will expand access to high‑quality emergency care for our community. Read more here. |
"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be one nation gone under.” ― President Ronald Reagan |
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