House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) announced the passage of an amendment to the National Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA) that establishes mandatory wellness checks for service members who are injured, ill, or on sick call. The measure honors Private Caleb Smither, a Lubbock native and Army paratrooper who died while on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Arrington said, “Private Caleb Smither of Lubbock lived his dream of serving our country as an Army paratrooper, but his life was tragically cut short due to preventable circumstances on his base.
“Because of the tireless advocacy of his mother, Heather, Caleb’s story will now bring about meaningful change for every soldier in uniform.
“My amendment to this year’s NDAA — the Smitty Check Act — requires the Department of Defense to conduct wellness checks for service members who are injured, ill, or on sick call. These Smitty Checks will help ensure no soldier is ever ‘left unaccounted for,’ and that the sacred promise to ‘leave no man behind’ is honored not just on the battlefield, but in every barracks and base.
“Caleb embodied the best of West Texas — faith, courage, and an unwavering commitment to his country. Enforcing these checks in his legacy will save lives, strengthen accountability, and spare other families from enduring the same heartbreak.” – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)
The amendment directs the Department of Defense to implement “Smitty Checks” as part of its protocols for soldiers known to be injured or ill. Training documents related to welfare and accountability will include a vignette describing Caleb Smither’s story. Last year Arrington passed a similar amendment applying these checks within the Army.
Jodey Arrington has maintained strong electoral support in recent years. In 2024 he won reelection against Nathan Lewis with over 80% of the vote; similar margins were seen in previous elections: 80% in 2022 against Nathan Lewis again; nearly 75% in 2020 versus Tom Watson; about 75% in 2018 against Miguel Levario; and almost 87% in 2016 against Troy Bonar.
