With Honor Action and USAA Send Letter Advocating for Support of Military Families and Veterans in the FY24 NDAA

Posted on by dcadmin

Today, With Honor Action and USAA sent this letter to the leaders of the Armed Services Committees advocating for provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24 NDAA) that provide a higher quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. Check out the full text of the letter below.

The Honorable Jack Reed                 The Honorable Mike Rogers
U.S. Senate                                          U.S. House of Representatives
728 Hart Senate Office Building      2469 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510                     Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Roger Wicker           The Honorable Adam Smith
U.S. Senate                                          U.S. House of Representatives
425 Russell Senate Office Building 2264 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510                    Washington, D.C. 20515

RE: FY24 NDAA Provisions in Support of Military Families and Veterans

Dear Chairman Reed, Ranking Member Wicker, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Smith:

As the House-Senate National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Conference Committee  considers compromise language for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) NDAA, With Honor Action and  USAA respectfully urge you to include the provisions discussed below, which support military  family readiness, military spouse employment, military housing needs, and suicide prevention  efforts. Addressing these significant areas of need will improve the lives of our nation’s  servicemembers, their families, and veterans.  

Founded by veterans, With Honor Action is committed to lessening polarization in Congress  while supporting our military and advocating for a strong national security. For more than a  century, USAA has made the promise to support and advocate for the military community and  their families in their time of need. We are committed to advocating for policies that strengthen  veteran suicide prevention efforts, support the financial readiness of military families through a  5.2% pay raise for servicemembers and increased housing support, and facilitate meaningful  employment opportunities for military spouses. In June, USAA launched Face the Fight™, a  coalition of purpose-driven organizations, including With Honor Action, focused on raising  awareness and support for preventing veteran suicide. The mission of the initiative is to break the  stigma of seeking help, increase the conversation about the problem and complement the efforts  of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD) and many others to  stop veteran suicide. 

We believe the House- and Senate-passed NDAA sections outlined below (see Appendix A)  would meaningfully support military families and veterans and urge you to include them in the  FY24 NDAA.  

Military Family Readiness: 

The inclusion of the Military Service in Determining FMLA Eligibility for Federal Employees (H.R. 2670, Sec. 1118) will allow a federal employee’s military service to count towards the 12- month eligibility requirement for receiving benefits under the Family Medical Leave Act  (FMLA). This would put FMLA eligibility on par with other federal benefits, such as retirement  and vacation days, which already credit military service for eligibility. As you know,  approximately 500,000 veterans have chosen to continue serving our nation as civil servants, 

comprising about 25% of the federal workforce. This legislation would be critical in helping  those veterans and, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would have minimal  budgetary impact. As we face a military recruitment crisis, it is imperative that we show potential  recruits we value their service and support their transition out of the military.  

The Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act (H.R. 2670, Sec. 601) would align National  Guard and Reserve parental leave eligibility with Active Duty standards. Currently, for the  National Guard and Reserve, only birthing mothers are eligible for parental leave. This  legislation would expand leave eligibility to include fathers and adoptive parents, as is already  the case for Active Duty servicemembers.  

Military Spouse Employment: 

Certain provisions in both chambers’ bills strengthen military spouse employment opportunities,  a central component of military family readiness. Military spouses have historically faced  unemployment rates around five times the national average due to the unique sacrifices and  demands of military life, including deployments, Permanent Changes of Station, and caregiving  responsibilities. Both bills would expand upon circumstances where military spouses may be  reimbursed for licensing, certification, and business relocation costs to include relocations due to  a servicemember transferring from a regular component into the Selected Reserve of the  uniformed service (H.R. 2670, Sec. 635; S. 2226, Sec. 606). Both bills would also amend federal  hiring authorities to make it easier for military spouses to attain and maintain federal  employment (H.R. 2670, Sec. 1116; S. 2226, Secs. 11332 and 11333). We also support language  in the House-passed NDAA that would direct DoD to coordinate with state licensing authorities  to increase awareness of existing license portability authorities (H.R. 2670, Sec. 640).  

Military Housing Support: 

Several provisions in both bills make critical changes to housing benefits and provide the DoD  more flexibility to better meet servicemembers’ housing needs. We support both bills’ inclusion  of language modifying the calculation of the basic allowance for housing (BAH) for junior  enlisted servicemembers with dependents (H.R. 2670, Sec. 622; S. 2226, Sec. 602). This  bipartisan language will help ensure military families can access off-base housing in their  communities. We also urge DoD to restore BAH to covering 100% of estimated housing costs,  rather than the current 95%. 

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention:  

With Honor Action and USAA, through Face the Fight, are focused on doing our part to stop suicide in the military community, and we appreciate bipartisan efforts to address this crisis  through the NDAA. We particularly support the inclusion of the House language directing the  Secretaries of the military departments to widely post 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline materials  on military installations and in online communications (H.R. 2670, Sec. 594). The House bill  also contains an important provision directing DoD to establish a program to monitor and assist  members of the Armed Forces at risk of suicide who have been recently discharged from health  care (H.R. 2670, Sec. 604). We also urge inclusion of provisions from both bills that would  expand access to mental health care for servicemembers and their families (H.R. 2670, Secs.  593, 655, and 704; S. 2226, Secs. 532 and 705) as well as the House provision establishing a  DoD task force on mental health.

Together, these provisions would provide common sense reforms and positively transform the  lives of our nation’s servicemembers. With Honor Action and USAA are proud to stand with our  military and veteran community and look forward to seeing these provisions enacted in the FY24  NDAA.  

Respectfully, 

 

Rye Barcott, Co-founder                     John Hughes, SVP, Government &
and CEO, With Honor Action             Industry Relations, USAA

Appendix A: FY24 NDAA Provisions in Support of Military Families and Veterans Military Family Readiness: 

  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 1118. Military Service in Determining FMLA Eligibility for  Federal Employees. 
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 601. Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act. 

Military Spouse Employment: 

  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 1116, Military Spouse Employment Act. 
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 635. Expansion of eligibility for reimbursement of qualified  licensure, certification, and business relocation costs incurred by military spouses.  • S. 2226, Sec. 606. Expansion of eligibility for reimbursement of qualified  licensure, certification, and business relocation costs incurred by military spouses.  

Military Housing Support: 

  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 622. Improved calculation of basic allowance for housing for  junior enlisted members. 
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 623. Expansion of authority of a commanding officer to authorize  a basic allowance for housing for a member performing initial field or sea duty. • H.R. 2670, Sec. 624. Dual basic allowance for housing for training. • S. 2226, Sec. 603. Basic allowance for housing for members assigned to vessels  undergoing maintenance. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 604. Dual basic allowance for housing for training for certain  members of reserve components. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 605; H.R. 2670, Sec. 621. Modification of calculation of gross  household income for basic needs allowance to address areas of demonstrated  need. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 607. Cost-of-living allowance in the continental United States: high cost areas. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 608. OCONUS cost-of-living allowance: adjustments. • S. 2226, Sec. 611. Government Accountability Office study on process for  determining cost-of-living allowances for members of the uniformed services  assigned to the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and overseas locations. 

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: 

  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 519. Sense of Congress relating to measures to address suicide  among former National Guard and Reserve components. 
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 593. Due date for report on efforts to prevent and respond to  deaths by suicide in the Navy. 
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 594. Posting of promotional materials for the 988 Suicide and  Crisis Lifeline at military installations. 
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 604. Program to assist service members at risk of suicide. • H.R. 2670, Sec. 655. Establishes a pilot program for routine mental health check ups in schools operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity. • H.R. 2670, Sec. 704, Non-medical counseling services for military families.  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 729. Task force of Department of Defense on mental health.
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 734. Waiver of certain requirements to facilitate urgent access to  mental health care services by members of the Armed Forces. 
  • H.R. 2670, Section 743. Study on non-clinical mental health services of the DoD. • H.R. 2670, Sec. 753. Report on mental health provider readiness designations. • H.R. 2670, Sec. 754. Study on accessibility of mental health providers and  services for Active Duty members of the Armed Forces. 
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 755. Study and report on mental health care for pilots and  aviators.  
  • H.R. 2670, Sec. 1080E. Assessment of suicide risk at military installations. • H.R. 2670, Sec. 1866. Annual review and update of online information relating to  suicide prevention. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 503. Exclusion of officers who are licensed behavioral health  providers from limitations on active duty commissioned officer end strengths.  • S. 2226, Sec. 532. Non-medical counseling services for military families. • S. 2226, Sec. 705. Waiver of cost-sharing for three mental health outpatient visits  for certain beneficiaries under the TRICARE program. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 707. Sense of Congress on access to mental health services through  TRICARE. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 723. Comptroller General study on impact of perinatal mental health  conditions of members of the Armed Forces and their dependents on military  readiness and retention.  
  • S. 2226, Sec. 724. Report on mental and behavioral health services provided by  Department of Defense. 
  • S. 2226, Sec. 5721. Report on military mental health care referral policies. • S. 2226, Sec. 5723. Report on provision of mental health services via telehealth to  members of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

With Honor Action Presents Rep. Steve Womack With ‘Principles Before Politics’ Award at Biennial Gala

Posted on by dcadmin

Washington, D.C.—With Honor Action honored Rep. Steve Womack with our 4th “Principles Before Politics” award at our third biennial gala at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va. on Tuesday evening.

With Honor Action believes the key to making Congress more effective is electing and supporting lawmakers who lead with civility, integrity, and courage. Each year, With Honor Action recognizes those leaders who have embodied these ideals with the “Principles Before Politics” Award recognizing leaders who make the hard choices to do what is best for the American people regardless of the political consequences

“Of all of the things that we do and of all of the votes that we will take and all of the decisions we will make, the one where you pick your leader, the person you are most accountable to is that individual that you saw in the mirror that morning,” Womack said in accepting the award.

“We were proud to bring together such a distinguished group of veterans from both inside and outside Congress to talk about how to bridge the partisan divide and put country before politics,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “Our mission is to strengthen democracy by fighting congressional polarization and by celebrating those who have taken a stand when it counted, Rep. Steve Womack is a true patriot who believes in working together to get things done.”

Rep. Steve Womack has consistently stood steadfast in his convictions, putting his service to his district and country above party. A true leader in Congress who has never wavered from fighting against polarization, unafraid of political consequences.

Speakers at the gala included Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.; Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; For Country Caucus members Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Mike Gallagher, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Rep. Seth Moulton, and Rep. Jared Golden. President George W. Bush, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Nucor’s Chief Executive Officer Leon Topalian also gave recorded remarks exclusive to the event.

Listen to Rep. Womack’s remark’s after accepting the award here

89% of Americans Support Keeping Our Pledge to Our Afghans Allies

Posted on by dcadmin

Washington, D.C. – An astonishing 80% of Americans believe that the United States should help Afghans resettle in the U.S., according to a new poll conducted by With Honor Action and Ipsos. Further, 89% of Americans said they support keeping our pledge to Afghans who helped U.S. forces against the Taliban, with 56% of Americans “strongly” supporting. The support was bipartisan, with 87% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats agreeing.

“The results of the national poll are striking,” said Rye Barcott, CEO and Co-Founder of With Honor Action and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. “Rarely do we see such unified support across party lines.”

With Honor Action has joined with several leading Veterans organizations to encourage Congress to authorize more visa and immigration authorities for refugees from the Taliban. But legislative gridlock has stalled several initiatives aimed at keeping faith with our stranded Afghan allies.

“Americans want us to help our Afghan allies. But we remain plagued by inaction,” said Barcott. “Congress must act now to help clear the immigration backlog for highly vetted Afghan allies, many of whom fought loyally by our sides for years in America’s longest war.”

The poll was conducted the first week of October. Highlights of the survey include:

  • Almost 9 in 10 Americans view Afghans who helped U.S. troops favorably (88%), and half of Americans view them “very favorably.”
  • 80% of Americans agree that the U.S. should help Afghans who assisted U.S. forces in Afghanistan resettle in the United States.
  • 89% of Americans say that they support keeping America’s word to Afghans who helped U.S. forces in Afghanistan, with 56% of Americans “strongly” supporting it. This included 87% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats.
  • 81% of Americans say “yes” when asked if the U.S. should help these Afghans escape Afghanistan and start a new life in America.
  • 87% of Americans agree that the U.S. has a duty to the Afghans we promised to protect, and 84% say these Afghans can be successfully integrated into American society.
  • 84% generally support the idea of allowing Afghans who helped troops during the war to resettle in the U.S. Further, 80% said we should be doing more to help these Afghans, 77% say that these folks would be welcomed if they were resettled in their community.

  • 75% of Americans say “yes” to the question of whether the U.S. should grant these Afghans legal status, 61% say “yes” on granting them citizenship, and 85% agree that these Afghans and their families should go through rigorous background checks and screenings as a part of resettling.

With Honor Action to Congress: Pass The Pay Our Troops Act

Posted on by dcadmin

Washington, DC — With Honor Action is calling on Congress to pass H.R. 5641, the Pay Our Troops Act immediately, to protect military pay in the instance of a possible government shutdown.

While previous shutdowns have not impacted military pay, currently Congress has not passed legislation ensuring that soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, cadets and guardians are protected. We can never let our service men and women go without pay, putting their financial security at risk and weakening our national defense.

The Pay Our Troops Act, co-sponsored by numerous members of the bipartisan For Country Caucus, will protect members of the military, including the Coast Guard, as well as certain U.S. Department of Defense civilian employees should Congress fail to provide temporary or full-year federal funding by September 30, 2023.

Aspen Daily News: Working across the aisle

Posted on by dcadmin

In perhaps the most partisanly charged era of American politics, two U.S. House members are trying to showcase that reaching across the aisle is still feasible.

Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat representing Colorado’s 6th District, and Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas’ 23rd District, are co-chairs of the For Country Caucus that focuses primarily on national security and veteran issues. The caucus has successfully collaborated on 79 pieces of legislation passed in the last four years, according to Rye Barcott, who introduced a panel consisting of the two congressmen and moderator-journalist Katie Couric at the Aspen Ideas Festival on Thursday.

Even in a time of intense polarization, Crow and Gonzales believe that bipartisan work is still getting done, even if it’s not in the focal point of the public.

“The reputation of Congress as an ineffective body is, in many ways, justified,” Crow said. “Major things are not being addressed and we have hit gridlock on some of the most formative challenges of our day. But there are also a lot of things that are getting done and there is a lot of collaboration.”

Couric, in her opening question, pondered whether the public’s lack of faith in Congress is warranted. She cited an NPR/ PBS NewsHour/Marist poll that showed 74% of respondents want Congress to compromise but 58% had “absolutely no confidence” in their ability to do so.

Still, a Pew Research Center release in January showed that right-leaning voters believe congressional leaders should “‘stand up’ to Biden on matters that are important to GOP voters, even if this makes it harder to address critical problems facing the country,” at a rate of 64%. The same study showed 58% of left-leaning voters believe Biden should work with the GOP to accomplish things, even if it “disappoints some of his voters.”

The For Country Caucus currently boasts 15 Republican members and 10 Democrats, not including co-chairs and vice chairs on each side of the aisle. It led initiatives to improve mental health services in the Department of Defense, military hunger prevention efforts and support for Special Operations Gold Star Families, according to its website. It’s also worked on cybersecurity and overall tech efforts.

Both Crow and Gonzales are veterans, the former of the Army and the latter of the Navy. In March, Gonzales was officially censured by the Republican Party of Texas, citing his support for gun reform after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, within his district and same-sex marriage, breaking party lines.

“The takeaway is we have a deep, serious issue in this country that we have to get ahead of and it’s going to take people that are bold and can navigate the process,” Gonzales said. “I’m of the mindset it doesn’t have to be either or. We can protect the Constitution and we can protect our children in school.”

Gonzales said one of the consequences of being censured was being cut off from financial support, which he joked he wasn’t receiving to begin with.

Couric also queried the pair on some of the major topics of the day, perhaps showing where the limits of bipartisan collaboration and cooperation may be. Gonzales equated the investigations of former President Donald Trump to current President Joe Biden pertaining to their handlings of classified documents, while Crow cited the violence incited by Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, to draw a delineation. Crow did not speak directly to the investigations.

When asked directly by Couric if Gonzales still supports Trump, he did not directly answer, and spoke of the perceived double standards of treatment between Trump and Biden, “instead of calling balls and strikes.”

Couric also asked about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to shoot down affirmative action in college admissions, reversing a national policy of long-standing benefits for enrollment of minority students, a reparative measure for those with less access to higher education. The SCOTUS justices did not deviate from their known political ideologies, according to The Washington Post. Six conservative members made up the majority while the three liberal members dissented.

Crow acknowledged that it was one of the areas where he and Gonzales are “going to respectfully disagree.” He called the decision “a move in the wrong direction,” and cited a footnote in the majority opinion that he said means the decision doesn’t apply to military academies.

“They’re saying here that diversity does matter if it comes to our national defense and that communities of color are good enough to fight and die for our country and that’s OK, but not necessarily in every other context,” Crow said. “What I hear a lot from (my constituents) is that things like that just reinforce this notion that there’s a dual standard.”

Gonzales said the “affirmative action position, I think it’s coming to an end,” and spoke of his time in the military when race, religion and sexual preference “didn’t matter … and I would love for this country to get back to us being Americans.”

Couric asked the congressmen to give a reason for hope to close the panel. Gonzales said he truly believed that the United States is the greatest country on the planet and “that we need to remember that we have more in common than we don’t.” Crow said he believed in the country’s ability to correct its mistakes and still be proud and move forward.

“We can do both and we must do both,” Crow said.

Join Us Now

    * Required Field(s)