Two members of the House Appropriations Committee have been awarded the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2025 Legislator of the Year award for their staunch and effective support of the Army and soldiers, Army civilians, veterans and their families.

Rep. John “Judge” Carter, a Republican from Texas, and Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr., a Democrat from Georgia, were honored Jan. 7 on Capitol Hill by AUSA President and CEO retired Gen. Bob Brown.

“Representatives John Carter and Sanford Bishop have long championed America’s Army and those who serve, and AUSA is delighted to recognize them as our 2025 Legislators of the Year,” Brown said. “Recognizing them was an easy choice. Their bipartisan leadership, steadfast commitment and unyielding efforts have made a lasting difference in the lives of soldiers, veterans and their families.”

Carter, who earned his nickname while serving as district judge for the 277th District Court in Texas’ Williamson County, has represented the 31st district in Texas since 2003. A proud supporter of the Army and co-chair of the House Army Caucus, Carter’s district includes Fort Hood. He is the top Republican on the House Appropriations military construction, veterans affairs and related agencies subcommittee and a member of the defense subcommittee.

Inspired by the story of a veteran from Leander, Texas, who needed a kidney transplant, Carter was instrumental in passage of the Veterans Transplant Coverage Act, which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide organ transplants to veterans from a live donor regardless of whether the donor is a veteran. He also, in 2018, worked with the Army to create a pilot program at Fort Hood to provide soldiers with industry credentials before leaving the Army, helping bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment.

“I am grateful to receive the AUSA Legislator of the Year award for 2025,” Carter said. “The Association of the United States Army plays a vital role in giving our soldiers, Army families, civilians and veterans a strong voice, and in strengthening our national defense. I’m grateful for their partnership, and I’m proud to stand with an organization that understands service, sacrifice and the responsibility we owe to those who wear the uniform.”

Bishop has represented Georgia’s 2nd district, which includes Fort Benning, since 1993. An experienced attorney, Bishop is a staunch supporter of the Army and those who serve. He serves on three House Appropriations subcommittees, including the military construction, veterans affairs and related agencies subcommittee, and is a member of the House Army Caucus.

Bishop also is co-chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, through which he co-hosts an annual summit for military families and support organizations to discuss issues of concern and provide feedback on federal programs for military families.

Previously, he was the lead House sponsor of the Hiring Heroes Act, which improves programs helping service members transitioning from military service to civilian careers. He also has helped more than 700 military spouses at Fort Benning keep their career advancement tuition assistance.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from AUSA,” Bishop said. “Our national defense and security are built on a foundation of the people who serve, ensuring that they are the best-equipped fighting force in the world, and that their families are taken care of so that they can focus on the mission at hand. With Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia’s second congressional district is home to thousands of military families and veterans, so working on their behalf is not just a matter of principle, it is at the heart of our community.”

AUSA’s Legislator of the Year award is an apolitical and nonpartisan award designed to recognize congressional leaders who have made significant contributions to and provided substantial support for the Total Army—Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve—as well as Army civilians, families, survivors, caregivers and veterans.