With Honor Action and HillVets Host VSO Reception on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action and HillVets hosted a veteran service organization (VSO) reception on Capitol Hill to bridge the gap between grassroots advocacy and legislative power.

Alongside the nearly 40 veteran legislators of the For Country Caucus, With Honor Action is committed to amplifying the military veteran voice in the areas of national security, national service, and veterans affairs issues. Engaging directly with advocates and strengthening connections with organizations that serve those who served our country in uniform remains one of the cornerstones of our work.

We were joined by Chamber of Mothers, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Hiring Our Heroes, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the The National Guard Association of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), the Reserve Organization of America (ROA), Student Veterans of America, The American Legion, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) participating and fostering important collaborations.

Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) in Childcare for Military Families Act

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action endorses H.R. 8336 / S. 4335: Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) in Childcare for Military Families Act, sponsored by For Country Caucus member Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA), a Navy veteran, and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), an Army Veteran, and co-led by Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

“When service members don’t have reliable, affordable childcare, it causes stress that follows them into the field, onto the ship, into the cockpit, and ultimately on deployment,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “The HERO in Childcare for Military Families Act recognizes the sacrifices our military families make to serve this nation, and provides the support they need to ensure mission success. With Honor Action is proud to endorse this legislation, and we thank With Honor Senate ally Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, For Country Caucus member Rep. Jen Kiggans, and Rep. Sara Jacobs for their commitment to our military families.”

As of early 2026, approximately 7,800 military children remain on waitlists for spots in Department of Defense Child Development Centers. Because of this, childcare places a significant strain on military families and service members. Spouses are often forced to forego employment to care for their children because of a lack of accessible, affordable childcare. It also poses a readiness issue, as service members are forced to juggle family responsibilities when duty calls.

Honoring Our Nation’s Obligation to Remember (HONOR) Gold Star Families Act

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action endorses H.R. 7932: Honoring Our Nation’s Obligation to Remember (HONOR) Gold Star Families Act, sponsored by For Country Caucus member Representative Matt Van Epps (R-TN), and co-sponsored by For Country Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Don Davis (D-NC) and Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX), members Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Representative Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Representative Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Representative John James (R-MI), Representative Tom Barrett (R-MI), along with Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Representative William Timmons (R-SC), Representative Derrick Van Orden, Representative John Rose (R-TN), Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN), Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Representative Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Representative Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ), and Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-NMI).

“Our Gold Star Families endure the highest sacrifice in service to our nation. In the wake of tragedy, they deserve steadfast support,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor Action is proud to endorse the HONOR Gold Star Families Act to increase the bridge payment for the families of our fallen service members. We thank For Country Caucus members Reps. Matt Van Epps and Jen Kiggans, and Rep. Jill Tokuda, for supporting our Gold Star Families and honoring those who’ve given their lives for this country.”

This legislation doubles the military “death gratuity” or bridge payment from $100,000 to $200,000 for the families of fallen servicemembers and also includes a cost-of-living adjustment so future payments take inflation into account. In light of the deaths of seven servicemembers in the Middle East following Operation Epic Fury, the legislation also applies retroactively to the beginning of 2026 to ensure those families receive the enhanced benefit.

With Honor Action Joins Allied Leaders at the 2026 London Defence Conference

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

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

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

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:

  1. H.R. 5155 / S. 2209 – Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025  
  2. 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):
    1. Sec. 403 – Assessment of Undersea Cable Repair Contingencies
    2. Sec. 512 – Plan of action for use of Defense Production Act of 1950 authorities
    3. Sec. 521 – United States Center for Maritime Innovation
    4. Sec. 616 – Military to maritime transition

Expanding Pathways and Opportunities to Service:

  1. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the JROTC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $353.9 million.
  2. United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the USNSCC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $4.3 million.
  3. Civil Air Patrol (CAP)
    1. 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.
  4. National Guard STARBASE Program
    1. 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:

  1. The establishment of a preservation process for the service records of recognized “Afghan allies” in the Department of Defense.
  2. The establishment of a United States – Ukraine Working Group on Unmanned Systems. 
  3. Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) 
    1. 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:

  1. H.R. 6383 – Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act 
  2. H.R. 7188 / S. 3654 – Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act 
  3. H.R. 6976 – Duty Status Reform Act  
  4. 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. 
  5. The expansion of resources to address childcare shortages on Department of Defense installations.

Countering Foreign Malign Influence:

  1.  H.R. 6469 – Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media (FREEDOM) Act
  2. H.R. 7969 – Combatting Chinese Communist Party Influence Act 
  3. 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:

  1. The establishment of an Advisory Council on Fiscal Capacity to Meet National Security Requirements.  
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.

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