Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. was named the Association of the United States Army’s 2025 Legislator of the Year, recognizing his long-standing leadership on military and defense issues and his advocacy for servicemembers and their families.
Bishop, who represents Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District, received the honor from the Association of the United States Army, which cited his bipartisan work and sustained commitment to strengthening the nation’s defense and supporting the Army community.
“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 they can focus on the mission at hand.”
Georgia’s 2nd District includes major military installations such as Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, making military readiness and family support central issues for the region, Bishop said.
“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,” said General (Retired) Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO. Brown praised the lawmakers’ bipartisan leadership and “unyielding efforts” on behalf of soldiers, veterans and military families.
The Legislator of the Year award honors members of Congress who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the Army community and advance policies that strengthen national defense. Bishop was recognized in part for his senior role on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and his support of the Total Army, including active-duty forces, the National Guard, Army Reserve, civilians, military families, survivors, caregivers and veterans.
Also receiving the 2025 award was Rep. John Carter, a Texas Republican.
During his tenure in the House, Bishop has championed initiatives supporting military child care and education, spouse employment, housing, caregivers and survivors, as well as expanded resources for Guard and Reserve units involved in national defense and disaster response.
As a senior appropriator, Bishop has helped secure funding to improve readiness and modernization, with a focus on ensuring service members stationed or training in Georgia have the resources they need.
In 2009, Bishop co-founded the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus and currently serves as its Democratic co-chair. In that role, he co-hosts the annual Military Family Summit, which was held in August at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Fort Benning in Columbus.
Working alongside the caucus’s Republican co-chair, Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Bishop also helped lead legislation aimed at improving military housing and reducing the frequency and disruption of permanent-change-of-station moves to promote family stability.
