Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill to Ensure U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Operations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the Retaining Essential Support for Combat and Unified Evacuation (RESCUE) Act of 2025. This bill ensures that the U.S. Army retains a dedicated, purpose-built aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) capability to support Joint Force combat operations, domestic disaster response, and civil support missions.

Sen. Cruz said, “It is our duty to ensure that the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces have the support they need to maintain operational readiness and evacuation capabilities during military missions. The RESCUE Act will to ensure the U.S. Army retains the necessary resources to evacuate and treat wounded troops and civilians through a trusted MEDEVAC system. I urge my colleagues in both chambers to support this legislation and pass it swiftly.”

Read the full text of the bill here.

BACKGROUND

This legislation responds directly to national security and disaster readiness needs by preserving the capability to evacuate and treat wounded service members and civilians – at home and abroad – through a trusted MEDEVAC system.

This bill would:

• Codify a dedicated MEDEVAC capability within the Medical Service Corps, including training, staffing, doctrine, and purpose-built aircraft.
• Require Surgeon General certification before any force structure changes that impact MEDEVAC operations.
• Mandate congressional notification and a formal risk assessment before transitioning to dual-use or general-purpose aviation configurations.
• Preserve the Army’s role as the Joint Service provider for intra-theater aeromedical evacuation.
• Protect the “Golden Hour” standard and ensure continued access to lifesaving en route care in combat and domestic emergencies.