Carter Amendment to Protect Servicemembers During Exams Included in House-passed NDAA

Congressman John Carter (TX-31) successfully included an amendment strengthening oversight of medical chaperone protections at military medical facilities in the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House Wednesday evening. The amendment requires a review of all Defense Health Agency (DHA) facilities and their compliance with required chaperone policies from the agency's December 15, 2025, policy memo. The amendment requires that after the full review, Congress shall receive a report containing detailed plans and resources necessary for full compliance, and a timeline for addressing any deficiencies. The amendment adds a layer of routine inspections and data collection to continually monitor compliance to prevent future incidents. "The women who serve and the military families that support them deserve to feel safe when seeking medical care," said Congressman John Carter. "The allegations against Blaine McGraw represent a devastating breach of trust, and while we can't undo the harm these survivors endured, we can take meaningful actions to prevent anything like this from happening again. While DHA has taken steps to include chaperones during sensitive exams, the policy is only good if it's being followed. My amendment establishes clear oversight and ensures Congress remains involved so any noncompliance can be addressed quickly." ###