Defense & National Security

Today, the United States faces a more diverse range of serious threats than at any point in our history. I believe protecting the country from these threats is the first duty of the federal government, which requires the United States to maintain the most lethal, agile, and robust military in the world.
I know how important a properly funded and functioning military is to our nation and our military families. To maintain our competitive edge on the world stage, it is Congress' responsibility to ensure the Pentagon's budget reflects the threats we face from traditional nation-states, terrorists, and all who seek to wreak havoc on the American dream and our allies.
In recent years, we have taken steps to rebuild our military, give our troops well-deserved pay raises, and bolster border security. I introduced legislation to ensure special operators who are serving in combat receive the same tax relief as other service members, and my legislation to increase funding for our Special Forces and to ensure soldier pay adequately reflects modern warfare demands was signed into law.
Representing service members and families is the honor of a lifetime. I am grateful for their bravery and sacrifice to protect America and our interests. It is due to the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform that the United States sustains a world-class force, capable of taking the fight to the enemy and winning. I will continue working to support our bases, our troops, and their families.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement on H.R. 3985, the Averting Loss of Life and Injury by Expediting SIVs (ALLIES) Act of 2021, that passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which Rep. Hudson co-sponsored, protects our Afghan partners and expedites the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process as the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan.
Friends,
We all know how important Fort Bragg is to our region and state. But did you know Fort Bragg is the only Joint Strategic Deployment Platform that allows our nation to respond to a threat within hours, versus days or weeks? This capability is critical for our country's defense, and I am determined to maintain it.
Rachael Riley, The Fayetteville Observer
FORT BRAGG — President Joe Biden signed a law this week that consolidates Fort Bragg into one judicial district.
Republican Congressman Richard Hudson, whose district includes Fort Bragg, co-sponsored the House version of the bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Deborah Ross, D-Raleigh.
"This commonsense legislation will help families at Fort Bragg by allowing all court cases stemming from the base to be heard in the Eastern District's courthouse in nearby Fayetteville," Hudson said in a news release.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Fort Bragg's Congressman, and Representative Deborah Ross (NC-02), along with Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) has been signed into law by President Joe Biden. The legislation which consolidates Fort Bragg into one federal judicial district - the Eastern District of North Carolina - passed in the Senate on June 17, 2021 and in the House on June 23.
Rachael Riley, The Fayetteville Observer
A little more than a week after members of Congress filed a bill that sought to remove sexual assault prosecution decisions from the chain of command, the secretary of defense released guidance that would do the same.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released the guidance Friday that followed a three-month Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, he said.
Austin said he is directing the Department of Defense to move forward on reforms and to work with Congress to amend the Uniformed Code of Military Justice by:
Friends,
Thank you, President Biden.
That's not something I say often – but last week, the President was in North Carolina to discuss covid-19 vaccines. While we do not agree on many issues, I appreciate the President coming to our state and highlighting our role in the success of Operation Warp Speed to make vaccines available to anyone who wants them. I believe issues like recovering from the pandemic should always be bipartisan and focused on helping you and your family.
Another bipartisan issue should always be caring for our troops, their families, and veterans.
Rachael Riley, The Fayetteville Observer
An interim rule for how service members can file claims of medical malpractice is now open for review.
Last week, the Department of Defense released the guidance, which is mandated by the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act in a law named after a Fort Bragg soldier
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Stayskal testified before Congress in April 2019 about his stage-four cancer diagnosis that was initially misdiagnosed by medical providers at Womack Army Medical Center.
By JAYMIE BAXLEY, The Pilot
The U.S. Department of Defense will soon begin paying medical malpractice claims under a law inspired by the travails of a Pinehurst Green Beret.
Named after Sgt. 1st Class Richard "Rich" Stayskal, the law allows service members to file administrative claims for medical malpractice in all branches of the armed forces. Military personnel were previously barred from taking such action by the Feres Doctrine, an obscure rule stemming from a 1950 Supreme Court decision.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Fort Bragg's Congressman, joined Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), Chair of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, and Congressman Michael R. Turner (R-OH), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, along with co-leads Representatives Anthony G.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Richard Hudson, Fort Bragg's Congressman, applauded a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Defense on June 17, 2021, that will allow service members to pursue medical malpractice claims in the military. The rule follows passage of the Rich Stayskal Act, legislation Rep. Hudson helped enact as part of the National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Donald Trump in Dec. 2019.