With Honor Action Joins Allied Leaders at the 2026 London Defence Conference
With Honor Action joined heads of government, senior military leaders, policymakers, industry executives, and media at the 2026 London Defence Conference (LDC). This annual gathering of allied nations focuses on elevating the importance of defense and security in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Held at the historic Old War Office in Whitehall from April 10-11, LDC convenes allied leadership to confront the defining questions in defense and security. Our participation reflects the strong relationships that With Honor Action has cultivated across government and allied defense communities to advance our shared, bipartisan priorities with the veterans in the For Country Caucus.
This year’s conference centered on a single, urgent theme: warfighting readiness. Senior officials delivered frank assessments, warning that current capabilities may be insufficient for sustained large-scale conflict. They called for accelerated rearmament across the U.K. and NATO, reinforced by major procurement announcements. LDC 2026 marked a clear shift from strategic dialogue to coordinated action, as allied nations respond to a more volatile global environment.
On day two of LDC, With Honor Action sponsored a roundtable with the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), placing American biotechnology policy at the center of an allied defense forum.
Conducted under the Chatham House Rule, the private session brought together senior representatives from allied governments, industry, and research institutions across three continents. Participants explored the growing role of biotechnology as a cornerstone of national security and economic strength.
This discussion builds on a landmark year for American biotechnology. In December 2025, Congress passed a significant package of biotechnology provisions informed by the NSCEB’s Final Report, including 17 With Honor Action-supported measures to strengthen biotechnology across the defense and intelligence communities. Those provisions addressed national security coordination, defense-focused development and manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and expanded allied collaboration.
The conference concluded with remarks from Al Carns, a Member of Parliament, Minister for the Armed Forces, Royal Marines veteran, and a partner within With Honor Action’s network. On the transatlantic alliance, he was unambiguous: the UK-US relationship “is not measured in commentary. It is measured in what we do and what we have done.”
Last October in Washington, Minister Carns joined us for the With Honor Action’s Strength in Democracy Forum and toasted the transatlantic alliance at our Gala, a relationship that reflects the kind of allied engagement LDC exists to deepen.
With Honor Action remains committed to advancing bipartisan veteran leadership and strengthening the alliances that underpin global security.
With Honor Action Sends Letter to Senate Detailing FY27 NDAA Priorities
On March 27, 2026, With Honor Action sent a letter to Senate Allies and Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee detailing our initial priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. These priorities include the Warrior Right to Repair Act, co-led by For Country Caucus members Reps. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), provisions of the SHIPS for America Act, co-led by With Honor Action allies Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and the expansion of youth service programs.
To With Honor Senate Allies and Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee,
Each year, With Honor Action endorses several pieces of bipartisan national security legislation. For the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we ask that you consider including the following 20 provisions in your submissions. As we enter an election year that will undoubtedly raise the partisan temperature, this critical, consensus-driven legislation is more important than ever, and the principled leadership demonstrated by the veteran and public service leaders that make up With Honor’s Senate Allies is the path toward a more prosperous and secure nation.
Modernizing the Department of Defense and Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base:
- H.R. 5155 / S. 2209 – Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025
- Special consideration of key national security pieces of the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act (H.R.3151/S.1541):
- Sec. 403 – Assessment of Undersea Cable Repair Contingencies
- Sec. 512 – Plan of action for use of Defense Production Act of 1950 authorities
- Sec. 521 – United States Center for Maritime Innovation
- Sec. 616 – Military to maritime transition
Expanding Pathways and Opportunities to Service:
- Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)
- With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the JROTC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $353.9 million.
- United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC)
- With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the USNSCC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $4.3 million.
- Civil Air Patrol (CAP)
- With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the CAP program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $50.3 million for aircraft and maintenance.
- National Guard STARBASE Program
- With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the DoD STARBASE program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $50 million.
Supporting Our Global Allies & Partners:
- The establishment of a preservation process for the service records of recognized “Afghan allies” in the Department of Defense.
- The establishment of a United States – Ukraine Working Group on Unmanned Systems.
- Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI)
- With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for TSCI at or above the FY26 authorized level of $1 billion for FY27.
Addressing Military Quality & Ease of Life:
- H.R. 6383 – Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act
- H.R. 7188 / S. 3654 – Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act
- H.R. 6976 – Duty Status Reform Act
- The designation of a senior official responsible for the management and oversight of all programs and activities of the Department of Defense related to the transition of members of the Armed Forces to civilian status.
- The expansion of resources to address childcare shortages on Department of Defense installations.
Countering Foreign Malign Influence:
- H.R. 6469 – Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media (FREEDOM) Act
- H.R. 7969 – Combatting Chinese Communist Party Influence Act
- Authorization for the Secretaries of Defense and State to support the national security forces of partner countries and actors to counter Russian influence and destabilizing activities.
Other National Security Matters:
- The establishment of an Advisory Council on Fiscal Capacity to Meet National Security Requirements.
- The modification of the annual report on the military and security developments involving the People’s Republic of China to include an assessment of progress toward artificial general intelligence.
- Amending the responsibilities of the Chief Digital Artificial Intelligence Officer within the Department of Defense, to include addressing threats posed by artificial general intelligence.
Detailed descriptions of these measures can be found in Appendix I, and specific legislative text may be found in Appendix II attached to this letter.
Vice President of Government Affairs, Kaylan Swartz, is available to assist your staff with any follow-up information you may need (swartz@withhonor.org).
Rye Barcott
Co-Founder & CEO
With Honor
You can read the full text of the letter here.
You can read our letter to the 18 members of the For Country Caucus on the House Armed Services Committee on the FY27 NDAA that we sent earlier this year here.
With Honor Action Sends Letter on VALID Act Inclusion in the ROAD to Housing Act
On March 27, 2026, With Honor Action, along with Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, The American Legion, Blue Star Families, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and National Association of Mortgage Brokers, sent a letter to Senator Tim Scott, Chair, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Representative French Hill, Chair, and Representative Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services on giving special consideration to the VA Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act, H.R. 3694 / S.1932, which was included as Sec. 602 of the ROAD to Housing Act, and ensure it remains – in its entirety – in any final housing bill negotiations.
Dear Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Warren, Chairman Hill, and Ranking Member Waters,
We thank you for your thoughtful consideration as you’ve worked on your respective housing bills. We believe that the American people are best served by bipartisan, common-sense solutions, and we appreciate the way you have crossed the aisle to craft these bills to ensure Americans’ access to affordable housing.
As each Chamber works to resolve the differences between your respective bills, we ask that you give special consideration to the VA Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act, H.R. 3694 / S.1932, which was included as Sec. 602 of the ROAD to Housing Act, and ensure it remains – in its entirety – in any final housing bill negotiations.
The Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure, which applies to FHA mortgages and conventional loans, does not require mortgage lenders to disclose the VA loan rate to eligible borrowers. The VALID Act solves this problem by requiring a side-by-side comparison of conventional, FHA, and VA home loans, enabling borrowers to fully understand their options and the resources available to them. It also ensures that the military service question on the Uniform Residential Loan Application form is required, so borrowers understand their available benefits from the start.
In 2024, more than 58,000 eligible VA borrowers did not utilize the VA home loan benefit, representing billions of dollars in potential homeownership opportunities that went unrealized. Today, only 10-15% of eligible veterans are using this benefit. Many service members and veterans are unaware of VA home loan options, and are often steered towards conventional mortgages due to incomplete information on their options. Billions of dollars are being left on the table, and veterans and service members remain unaware of this critical benefit that they have rightfully earned through their service.
For veterans and service members, the ability to purchase a home is more than just securing a roof over their heads; it is the cornerstone of the American Dream they swore an oath to protect. Homeownership provides a stable foundation that allows military families to build equity and achieve long-term financial security after years of transient service. By lowering barriers to entry and streamlining the VA loan process, Congress isn’t just facilitating a transaction—they are empowering veterans to establish generational wealth that will support their children and grandchildren for decades to come.
We appreciate the Committees’ bipartisan leadership and encourage you to include the VALID Act language in its entirety in any conferenced final bill text. Thank you for your time and consideration.
With Honor Action and America250 Kick Off Our Nation’s Semiquincentennial
L-R: Rye Barcott, With Honor Co-Founder & CEO, Lynn Forney Young, former president of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Cathy Gillespie, Commissioner of America250, Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, former Rep. Joe Crowley, Rep. Robert Aderholt, Rep. Nick LaLota, Jennifer Condon, Executive Vice President of America250.org, Inc.
With Honor Action was excited to host the America250 Commission and Congressional America250 Caucus Reception on Capitol Hill, a special evening marking the kick-off of our nation’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.
As a Founding Sponsor, With Honor Action is proud to support America250 in bringing Americans together—through service, civic engagement, and a renewed commitment to put country over politics. Together with the Congressional America250 Caucus–the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in U.S. history–alongside federal agencies and national partners, the event highlighted collaborative efforts already underway to orchestrate a celebration and commemoration from sea to shining sea.
With Honor Co-Founder & CEO Rye Barcott reminded attendees of the importance of youth service, noting that less than 2% of Americans serve in any capacity, whether in the military or through civilian service programs like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. With Honor Action and America250 share a commitment to making this year the largest year of service in American history, so that it remains a cornerstone of the American experience.
For Country Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Nick LaLota, along with members Rep. Pat Harrigan, Rep. Tom Barrett, Rep. Derek Tran, Rep. Jen Kiggans, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Rep. Matt Van Epps were also in attendance as members of the Congressional America250 Caucus.
With Honor Action and Snake Island Institute Host Congressional Staff Briefing on Capitol Hill
With Honor Action and Snake Island Institute (SII) hosted a congressional staff briefing on Capitol Hill, bringing together policy leaders and members of a visiting Ukrainian military and defense innovation delegation to examine lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield-tested approach to modern warfare.
On the battlefields of Ukraine, the future of warfare is being written in real time. Yesterday on Capitol Hill, policymakers got a rare chance to hear about it directly from the people fighting it.
Ukrainian speakers shared what they’ve learned the hard way: how to neutralize mass drone and missile attacks through layered, integrated air defense; how a smaller naval force can outmaneuver a larger one through asymmetric maritime strategy in the Black Sea; and how Ukraine has built one of the world’s fastest-growing defense technology ecosystems, turning battlefield necessity into innovation that the United States’s military could benefit from.
Learn more about Snake Island Institute’s report on Ukraine’s air defense campaign, examining how Ukraine built, adapted, and sustained its air defense system since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, here.