With Honor Action Announces Legislative Accomplishments in First Two Years

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Charlotte, NC – With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress in part by working alongside the veteran, cross-partisan For Country Caucus (FCC) of veterans in the U.S. House and initiating, advancing, and passing into law bipartisan efforts that matter for our nation and world. With Honor Action supported and helped pass into law the following pieces of bipartisan legislation:

National Security and U.S. Competitiveness:

  • Strengthened America’s cybersecurity by enacting several of the recommendations from the Cybersecurity Solarium Commission’s final report, including the establishment of a National Cyber Director, the development of a strategy to secure government emails, the evaluation of the need to organize a Cyber Reserve Force, and the creation of a Joint Cyber Planning Office.
  • Reaffirmed strong congressional support for the North American Treaty Organization (NATO), which is critical to achieving United States national security interests and defense objectives around the world.
  • Countered foreign adversaries at home and abroad by codifying Huawei’s place on the Commerce Department Entity list; addressing foreign talent recruitment programs, and requiring the disclosure of foreign funding sources to obtain federally funded research awards.
  • Required the President to continue to report to Congress regarding the legal and policy frameworks for the use of military force and related national security operations.

National Service and Civic Education:

  • Increased funding for national service programs by $1 billion to increase living allowances for those who serve and deploy needed support to communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Established a new Ready Reserve Corps within the U.S. Public Health Ready Reserve Corps to aid in our response to the coronavirus and future public health emergencies.
  • Provided medical malpractice liability protection for volunteer health care workers supporting COVID-19 response efforts, so that doctors can volunteer their skills and help alleviate the public health workforce shortage during this crisis.
  • Expanded STEM and Civic Education in America’s High Schools through the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Program.

Veterans Affairs:

  • Reduced the tax burden for approximately 67 thousand Gold Star families by ensuring they can continue to receive all of the survivor benefits they are entitled to.
  • Provided paid parental, family caregiving and medical leave to America’s more than 2.1 million civil servants.
  • Increased basic pay by 3.1% for all active duty servicemembers, the largest pay increase in a decade.
  • Combated sexual assault in the military by increasing the number of lawyers available to ensure sexual assault survivors receive adequate help throughout the legal process.
  • Eliminated the widow’s tax, which previously prevented more than 65,000 surviving spouses of fallen soldiers from receiving their full survivor benefits, saving these families an average of approximately $12,000 per year.
  • Expanded childcare services and financial resources to surviving family members of servicemembers who die in the line of duty.
  • Ensured greater interoperability between the Department of Defense and the VA’s electronic health systems.
  • Extended full military honors at the funerals of recipients of Medals of Honor and former prisoners of war.
  • Provided legal services to veterans with outstanding warrants or fines, child support matters, license revocations, as well as specific assistance for women veterans and their families.
  • Reimbursed state licensure and certification costs for military spouses, so they can continue their careers after their spouse changes duty stations.
  • Allowed free access to America’s National Parks and federal recreation sites for families of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty while serving in the military.

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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary Robert Gates, Senator Tom Daschle, Admiral Michael Mullen, Gen. Nadja West, and David Gergen.

With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.

With Honor Action Applauds Significant, Bipartisan 2020 Accomplishments

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With 2020 nearing its end, With Honor Action is pleased to see Congress work in a bipartisan manner to strengthen our nation as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, Congress established a Public Health Ready Reserve Corps that will allow qualified medical professionals to respond to the pandemic and other health emergencies in the future. In addition, Congress provided liability protections for volunteer health workers who are supporting our nation’s efforts during this global crisis.

Another piece of legislation that passed both chambers of Congress and is on the president’s desk is the Legal Services for Homeless Veterans Act that will provide homeless veterans, and those at-risk, access to legal services. These changes in law will support veterans who are struggling to make a transition from military duty to civilian life.

This year, military veteran Members of Congress placed a renewed focus on national service in several pieces of legislation. Making it easier for Americans to serve their country—both in and out of uniform—is an idea that is gaining bipartisan support among bipartisan leaders in both chambers of Congress. As the 117th session of Congress begins in the new year, we urge Congress to keep the flame of national service burning brighter than ever before so that our fellow countrymen and women have more opportunities to serve the nation they love.

“Military veterans in Congress worked together on legislation that is and will continue to help our country respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rye Barcott, With Honor Action CEO and Co-Founder. “Recently, Congress came together to pass the annual defense spending bill that will strengthen our nation and provide resources to the men and women who protect it. While this year has been too tough for too many Americans, we’re pleased to see bipartisan progress in Congress as there is much work to be done in the 117th session.”

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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary George Shultz, Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Michael Mullen, Michèle Flournoy, and David Gergen.

With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.

November 2020 Monthly Legislative Wrap-Up

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November 2020 Legislative Updates

A monthly summary of the cross-partisan legislative activity sponsored by Congress’s independent, Member-led For Country Caucus comprised of principled military veterans.

PASSED LEGISLATION

H.R.561 the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2019 amends title 38, United States Code, to improve the oversight of contracts awarded by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Jack Bergman
Update: Bill became law​

H.R.1199 the VA Website Accessibility Act of 2019 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study regarding the accessibility of websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs to individuals with disabilities.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Luria
Update: Senate companion legislation (S. 3587) passed both chambers of Congress

H.R.3207designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 114 Mill Street in Hookstown, Pennsylvania, as the “Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchin Post Office Building”.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb
Update: Legislation passed both chambers of Congress

H.R.4794 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8320 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, as the “Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office Building”.
Sponsored by Rep. Max Rose
Update: Legislation passed both chambers of Congress

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8737 the Fly Safe and Healthy Act of 2020 establishes a temperature checks pilot program for air transportation.
Sponsored by Rep. Salud Carbajal

H.R.8755 the Expanded Telehealth Access Act amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the scope of practitioners eligible for payment for telehealth services under the Medicare program.
Sponsored by Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.8817 the Preserving Charitable Incentives Act provides incentives to make charitable contributions of certain inventory.
Sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Panetta

CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8726 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 101 South Willowbrook Avenue in Compton, California, as the “PFC James Anderson, Jr., Post Office Building”.
Original Co-sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal, Rep. Gil Cisneros, and Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8733 the United States-Israel Common Defense Authorization Act authorizes the President to take actions to ensure Israel is prepared for all contingencies if Iran seeks to develop a nuclear weapon.
Original Co-sponsor: Rep. Brian Mast

H.R.8752 the National Medal of Honor Monument Act authorizes the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs.
Original Co-sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8790 the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act extends the wildfire and hurricane indemnity program to cover certain crop losses in calendar year 2020.
Original Co-sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8801 the Air America Act provides redress to the employees of Air America.
Original Co-sponsors: Rep. Brian Mast and Rep. Michael Waltz

H.R.8802 the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a refundable tax credit for travel expenditures.
Original Co-sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8813 amends title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to a member of the uniformed services who is denied a traumatic injury protection claim under Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance certain information related to that denial.
Original Co-sponsor: Rep. Jack Bergman

With Gridlock Near All Time High, With Honor Congratulates 22 Principled Veterans Elected to Congress who were Supported by With Honor Fund

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor announced that With Honor Fund, its affiliated Super PAC, supported 22 victorious candidates, with more to be decided, in the 2020 congressional elections. With Honor is a cross-partisan movement dedicated to promoting and advancing principled veteran leadership in order to reduce polarization.

“The inspiring success of these principled military veterans proves that Americans want leaders who will fix Washington’s broken politics,” said Rye Barcott, With Honor Action CEO and Co-Founder. “While many of these victors faced tough reelections or the rigors of their first campaign, the hard work of governing our nation and restoring trust in our elected leaders lies before them. We’re proud to see at least 22 veterans elected this year as we continue to grow the ranks of veterans who have pledged to work together despite the hyper-partisanship and dysfunction that grips our Capitol.”

While several contests are still awaiting results, With Honor Action congratulates the following principled veterans on their victories: Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Don Bacon (NE-02), Jim Baird (IN-04), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jason Crow (CO-06), Scott Franklin (FL-15), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Jared Golden (ME-02), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Kai Kahele (HI-02), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Conor Lamb (PA-17), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Peter Meijer (MI-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), August Pfluger (TX-11), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Greg Steube (FL-17), Van Taylor (TX-03), and Michael Waltz (FL-06).

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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary George Shultz, Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Michael Mullen, Michèle Flournoy, and David Gergen.

With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.

October 2020 Monthly Legislative Wrap-Up

Posted on by dcadmin

October 2020 Legislative Updates

A monthly summary of the cross-partisan legislative activity sponsored by Congress’s independent, Member-led For Country Caucus comprised of principled military veterans.

PASSED LEGISLATION

H.R.2359 the Whole Veteran Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the Department of Veterans Affairs advancing of whole health transformation.
Sponsored by Rep. Conor Lamb
Update: Bill became law​

H.R.6168 the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020 increases, effective as of December 1, 2020, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Luria
Update: Bill became law​

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8444 the Vital STATS Act of 2020 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Medicine under which the National Academy agrees to conduct a one-year study assessing the effectiveness of current vital statistics reporting and data sharing between State, local, and Federal agencies.
Sponsored by Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8537 directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to modify any caps on emergency EIDL advances to certain veterans service organizations.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.R.8591 the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2020 provides for judicial security and privacy.
Sponsored by Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.8611 designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4755 Southeast Dixie Highway in Port Salerno, Florida, as the “Joseph Bullock Post Office Building”.
Sponsored by Rep. Brian Mast
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Greg Steube and Rep. Michael Waltz

H.R.8631 establishes competitive grant programs to incentivize the safe and responsible storage of firearms.
Sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden

H.Res.1199 congratulates the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
Sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Brian Mast and Rep. Michael Waltz

CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION

H.R.8480 the Visit America Act authorizes the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism, to statutorily establish the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta

H.R.8483 the Pandemic Assistance for Student Veterans Act of 2020 amends title 38, United States Code, to make certain modifications to the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs in light of the COVID-19 emergency.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8494 the Guaranteeing Israel’s QME Act of 2020 reaffirms the critical role of congressional consultation and to require appropriate deliberation to assess the effects of the sale or export of major defense equipment to countries in the Middle East on the qualitative military edge of Israel.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Gil Cisneros, Rep. Elaine Luria, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8533 the Support Allowing Volume Exception for (SAVE) Federally-Assisted Housing Act provides an exception to the volume cap requirement for private activity bonds used to finance the preservation, improvement, or replacement of certain Federally-assisted buildings.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8540 the Keeping Seniors Safe from COVID-19 Through Home Design Act requires the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services to conduct a study of how housing design can help prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8560 provides first-time, low-level, nonviolent simple possession offenders an opportunity to expunge that conviction after successful completion of court-imposed probation.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8598 the Social Security Expansion Act provides for a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment for social security and supplemental security income beneficiaries in calendar year 2021.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Salud Carbajal and Rep. Max Rose

H.R.8601 Payer State Transparency Act of 2020 assess the State by State impact of Federal taxation and spending.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8619 awards posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon

H.R.8623 the Securing Affordable Vaccines Equally (SAVE) for Seniors Act amends the CARES Act to clarify the inclusion of certain COVID-19 vaccines covered under the Medicare program without any cost sharing.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

H.R.8633 the Humane Research and Testing Act of 2020 amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment of the National Center for Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Mikie Sherrill

H.R.8638 the Status of Child Marriages in the United States Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on the effect of State laws on child marriages and forced marriages.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

H.R.8662 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support research on, and expanded access to, investigational drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and for other purposes.
Original Co-Sponsors: Rep. Don Bacon and Rep. Gil Cisneros

H.R.8675 requires the Federal banking agencies to exclude Paycheck Protection Program loans from certain asset calculations.
Original Co-Sponsor: Rep. Van Taylor

With Honor Action Advocates for Bipartisan Priorities to be Included in 2021 Defense Bill in Letter to Congress

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action – a cross-partisan movement dedicated to promoting and advancing principled veteran leadership in order to reduce polarization – sent a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees stressing the need for bipartisan cooperation and highlighting 23 specific provisions in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“Since 1961, the NDAA has served as a model of bicameral and bipartisan lawmaking,” said Rye Barcott, With Honor Action CEO and Co-Founder. “We urge Congress to continue this tradition by quickly passing a bipartisan defense bill that includes the 23 provisions outlined in our letter so that America’s servicemembers have the resources they need to continue protecting our great nation.”

In the letter, With Honor Action emphasized the historical and practical importance of Congress’ bipartisan cooperation in providing our military with the means to serve and protect our nation. The 23 provisions outlined in the letter will enhance civic education, strengthen our national security, and better the lives of those who serve and the ones they love.

The letter was sent to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe and Ranking Member Jack Reed, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry.

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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary George Shultz, Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Michael Mullen, Michèle Flournoy, and David Gergen. With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.

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