Rep. Kaptur urges stronger NATO ties, expanded survivor health care and a new medal in FY26 NDAA testimony

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, speaking at the House Armed Services Committee’s member‑day hearing, urged lawmakers to strengthen U.S. commitments to NATO and Ukraine and proposed several changes for the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

Kaptur told the committee she wants three international and two personnel‑benefit changes in the NDAA: statutory early notice to Congress before troop withdrawals below deterrent levels; a directive that U.S. negotiators not cede to Russian demands in any Ukraine ceasefire; an expansion of TRICARE eligibility for Gold Star spouses and minor children; fixes to long‑term health coverage for wounded Guard and Reserve veterans; and authorization for DoD to research and create a new medal recognizing the “last service member standing.”

Kaptur said transatlantic security requires sustained U.S. engagement and asked the committee to “consider requiring through legislation early notice mandates to Congress should any administration seek to withdraw U.S. troops below the levels necessary to deter Russian aggression against our allies.” She also urged that any negotiated ceasefire with Ukraine should not “cede to Russian demands,” and called for continued NATO support of weapons and materiel to help Ukraine push Russian forces inside their borders.

On survivor benefits, Kaptur described the Gold Star Spouse Health Care Enhancement Act, which would allow surviving spouses and minor children who meet Gold Star lapel‑button criteria to retain TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select coverage as active‑duty family members “for as long as they retain eligibility for TRICARE coverage.” She framed the change as a long‑term obligation to families of the fallen.

Kaptur also raised a coverage gap affecting wounded service members from the National Guard and Reserve. She said some reservists and Guardsmen who suffered major combat wounds can lose eligibility for longer‑term military health services despite ongoing treatment needs—for example PTSD care that continues to be “raging and debilitating.”

Separately, Kaptur asked DoD to research and consider a new award category that would recognize a service member who was the sole surviving, critically wounded member of a unit and continued to stand his or her post, arguing current medal‑processing rules that require two living witnesses can leave such cases without recognition.

There were no committee votes or formal directions recorded on these proposals during the member‑day session. Kaptur said she looked forward to working with committee staff to develop statutory language and report language in the NDAA.

Kaptur’s requests touch on foreign‑policy posture toward Russia and on benefits and recognition administered by the Department of Defense and TRICARE; the committee will decide which, if any, proposals are incorporated into the FY26 draft.