Nunn, Subramanyam Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Reserve Organization of America Charter

DES MOINES, IA - Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) today introduced the Reserve Organization of America Charter Amendments Act of 2026 to ensure federal law recognizes both enlisted servicemembers and commissioned officers serving in America's reserve forces.

Founded in 1922, the Reserve Organization of America (ROA), formerly known as the Reserve Officers Association, is the only Congressionally chartered organization exclusively dedicated to advocating for America's Reserve and National Guard - across all ranks and services.

"After more than two decades in uniform, serving in both active duty and the Air Force Reserve, I've seen firsthand how our Reserve forces have evolved to meet new challenges and keep our country safe," said Rep. Nunn . "ROA has evolved right alongside them, expanding to represent servicemembers of every rank, but its federal charter hasn't kept up. Our bipartisan bill brings that charter into the 21st century, cuts outdated red tape, and gives ROA greater flexibility to serve the men and women who defend our nation."

The legislation updates ROA's outdated federal charter to reflect the organization it is today, including its expansion to represent servicemembers of every rank and reserve component. Because ROA is Congressionally chartered, outdated requirements written into federal law can only be changed by Congress. This bipartisan bill gets that done by officially recognizing the Reserve Organization of America name, cutting decades-old red tape, and giving ROA greater control over its own governance, headquarters, and day-to-day operations.

Nearly 9,000 Iowans serve in the Army and Air National Guard, with thousands more answering the call in reserve components across the Armed Forces. Rep. Nunn currently serves alongside them as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, continuing more than two decades of military service that began as an airborne intelligence officer.

"Modernizing ROA's charter will ensure that it can continue to advocate for reservists and their families for the next 75 years and beyond," said Rep. Subramanyam . "I look forward to continuing to partner together on these efforts and championing impactful legislation to support our servicemembers."

Specifically, the Reserve Organization of America Charter Amendments Act would:

• Recognize every rank that serves by officially changing ROA's name in federal law from the Reserve Officers Association to the Reserve Organization of America.
• Modernize ROA's federal charter by giving the organization greater control over its own governing structure and headquarters, rather than locking those decisions into federal law.
• Cut administrative red tape by replacing burdensome multi-state agent filing requirements with a single registered agent in Washington, D.C.
• Maintain strong accountability standards by prohibiting ROA from operating for profit, issuing stock, contributing to political campaigns, or making loans to its officers or governing body members.

The Reserve Organization of America Charter Amendments Act of 2025 is the House companion to bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Text of the bill can be found here .

###