With Honor Action Applauds Senate Introduction of the Building Civic Bridges Act

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Washington, DC – With Honor Action thanks Senator Chris Coons and Senator Todd Young for introducing the Building Civic Bridges Act; companion legislation is being led by Rep. Derek Kilmer and Rep. Andy Barr in the House of Representatives.

Civic bridgebuilding can be defined as finding ways to bridge the political divide and support efforts to promote civil discourse. The bill would establish an Office of Civic Bridgebuilding within AmeriCorps to support these efforts across the country, train members in these programs, and support research on effective strategies to bridge the divides we are currently experiencing in American society. The new office would fund nonprofits, public institutions, schools, religious groups, and other organizations working to heal toxic polarization in the United States through civic bridgebuilding and community reconciliation.

Since With Honor Action’s founding, national service and civic education have been at the forefront of our efforts to increase civility in our communities and politics, and despite this period of historic partisan rancor, bills like the Building Civic Bridges Act would be a step in healing our divisions. 

“With Honor Action thanks Senator Coons and Senator Young for introducing the Building Civic Bridges Act,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “We believe our country can break through polarization and be reunited through shared experiences like national service. We will continue to work to decrease partisanship in Congress and seek more avenues for Americans to reconnect, rebuild, and restore a national sense of civic engagement.”

In previous years, With Honor Action has been at the forefront of the fight to expand service opportunities for Americans and to restore a national sense of civility. In 2021, With Honor Action successfully advocated for a nearly $1 billion expansion of AmeriCorps, which increased living stipends for over 250,000 participants, and worked with the For Country Caucus to introduce the Inspire to Serve Act, legislation modeled on the recommendations of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. 

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With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans across party lines who pledge to service with integrity, civility, and courage. With Honor Action works alongside the bipartisan For Country Caucus in Congress to pass critical legislation for our nation. Learn more about our work at withhonor.org 

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 II.

With Honor Action Applauds the House for Passing Critical Security Funding Supplemental Bills

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Washington, DC – With Honor Action applauds the House of Representatives for passing critical national security legislation that supports our allies and addresses our most dangerous challenges across the globe. This three-pronged legislation advances American national security by directly responding to the belligerence of Russia, China, and Iran without putting a single American service member in harm’s way. 

We are also pleased to see some of With Honor Action’s major bipartisan priorities included in the fourth pillar of this legislation that addresses some of the most pressing issues in our foreign policy. We applaud the passage of “divest-or-ban” TikTok legislation and the Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act led by For Country Caucus member Representative Mike Gallagher, the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act, and the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act.

“Our allies can’t afford to wait any longer. As these conflicts rage, lawmakers should consider how history will remember this moment. Will the United States be the shining beacon of freedom that it has been in the past, or will we let partisan politics stop us from doing the right thing?” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “Our position is clear: With Honor Action wholeheartedly supports this legislation which will provide for our own national defense without deploying a single American soldier, and make good on the commitments we’ve made to our allies abroad.”

Some key points from each bill below:

Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

  • Supplies weapons and monetary aid to Ukraine in their fight against the unprovoked Russian invasion.
  • Acquires advanced weapons systems.
  • Supports U.S. defense initiatives in the region.
  • Institutes a loan repayment system between Ukraine and the United States, ensuring that Ukraine pays us back after the war.

Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

  • Strengthens deterrence efforts around Taiwan.
  • Invests in submarines, dry dock construction, and artillery and ammunition production for Taiwan and other key partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Supports US operations in the region and improves military cooperation between us and partner countries.

Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

  • Replenishes defensive weapons systems, such as the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and others.
  • Procures defensive weapons and munitions.
  • Backs US military operations responding to Iranian-backed terror.

21st Century Peace through Strength Act

  • Protection of American data from malign actors, particularly through apps like TikTok, by requiring foreign adversaries to divest from ownership of said technology or be banned in U.S. markets (Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act)
  • A reauthorization and strengthening of the 2018 Sanctioning the Use of Civilians as Defenseless Shields Act
  • Comprehensive legislation stemming the flow of fentanyl into the United States through sanctions and anti-money laundering actions designed to combat international opioid traffickers and disrupt supply chains (Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act)
  • Authorization for the President to seize Russian sovereign assets frozen in the United States to be transferred to Ukraine for reconstruction purposes (Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act)
  • The establishment of heavy sanctions on ports, refineries, and other parties that intake and process petroleum originating from Iran (Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act)
  • Expands and enforces additional sanctions on Iran and its militant proxies, including Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, and the Lion’s Den (Hamas International Financing Prevention Act)

For Country Caucus Member and 2023 Recipient of With Honor Action’s Principles Before Politics Award Rep. Steve Womack delivered remarks on the supplemental legislation on the House floor.

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With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans across party lines who pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage. With Honor Action works alongside the bipartisan For Country Caucus in Congress to pass critical legislation for our nation. Learn more about our work at withhonor.org 

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 II.

With Honor Action Endorses the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act

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Washington, DC – With Honor Action has endorsed the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act, led by For Country Caucus members Rep. Zach Nunn, Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks, and Rep. Don Davis, as well as Rep. Jen Kiggans and Rep. Seth Magaziner and Senator Sherrod Brown. There is a mental health crisis gripping the nation, and no one is more affected by this than our veterans. According to The Washington Post, 50,000 veterans used free emergency suicide prevention care in 2023. 

According to the VA’s Annual Suicide Prevention report, veteran suicide rates are at their highest within the first twelve months a servicemember separates from the military. This bill would establish a program to counsel servicemembers on challenges they might face during their transition to civilian life and support them through challenges that may affect their mental health. It would also ensure that servicemembers are aware of the resources and services available to them at their local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.

“We need to do better as a country at taking care of our veterans,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “These brave men and women spent years protecting us, and now we must make sure they are protected from the invisible wounds of war. We urge Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation as soon as possible.”

This bill is dedicated to Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert, two brave Marines who served together in Afghanistan, but tragically lost their lives to suicide less than a year after leaving the military. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Sherrod Brown. 

Previously, With Honor Action has supported legislation that improves mental health resources for our servicemembers and veterans, including the Brandon Act, which made it easier for servicemembers to seek mental health resources confidentially, and the establishment of 9-8-8 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

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With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans across party lines who pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage. With Honor Action works alongside the bipartisan For Country Caucus in Congress to pass critical legislation for our nation. Learn more about our work at withhonor.org 

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 II.

With Honor Action Partners with Veteran Service Organizations in Urging Congress to Support Our Afghan Allies

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SUBJECT: Expressing Support for the Inclusion of Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies in the National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 

It has been over two years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Some might believe this marked the end of America’s involvement in Afghanistan, but for U.S. veterans this is not the case. Since the withdrawal, thousands of veterans along with non-veterans from across civil society have devoted countless hours and significant portions of their savings to support our wartime Afghan allies. The moral obligation our veterans feel to the Afghans who fought beside them did not end with the withdrawal, these veterans continue to stand with the 80,000 Afghans languishing in legal limbo in the United States as well as the over 140,000 applicants to the Special Immigrant Visa program, hiding for their lives in Taliban controlled Afghanistan. 

America’s veterans and civil society are steadfast in our support of Afghan allies and now it is time for Congress to act. Legislation providing adjustment of status for Afghans in the U.S. and support to the nearly 140,000 Afghan allies still abroad is vital, and we cannot continue to miss opportunities to include critical provisions in the few legislative vehicles available. As Congress considers the defense supplemental, The American Legion, The Moral Compass Federation, No One Left Behind, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and With Honor Action strongly support the swift passage of legislation that will adjust the status of our Afghan allies and assist those still in Afghanistan and third countries. We urge the House of Representatives to include and pass Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies in the House version of the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024. 

Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies was a comprehensive and bipartisan section of the Senate’s version of the National Security Supplemental, it took key provisions from the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act and Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2023. Disappointingly, the section was stripped out for political expediency. This was a missed opportunity by the Senate, but thankfully the House has the chance to rectify. The provisions in Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies are incredibly popular across the political spectrum –national polling shows nearly 90% support amongst Americans for the policies this legislation would implement. Furthermore, this legislation is a national security imperative – standing with our Afghan allies will demonstrate American resolve, building confidence among America’s allies and deterring adversaries. 

Congress has failed over the last two years to pass necessary legislation. Partisan politicking has made passing bipartisan legislation increasingly difficult, but our allies and veterans dealing with moral injury can no longer be casualties of this inaction. Therefore, we strongly support the inclusion of Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies in the National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. 

Sincerely,

With Honor Action Endorses the MOMS Who Serve Act

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Washington, DC – Mothers serving in the United States military have a lot on their plate. To help improve their quality of life, With Honor Action is endorsing the Maintaining Our Obligation to Moms (MOMS) Who Serve Act, bipartisan legislation led by For Country Caucus founding Vice Chair, Representative Chrissy Houlahan, and founding Co-Chair, Representative Don Bacon. This bipartisan legislation would establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and impact of providing evidence-based perinatal mental health programs for pregnant and postpartum servicemembers. Rep. Bacon and Rep. Houlahan also lead the House Armed Services Committee’s Military Quality of Life Panel.

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that one in three female servicemembers experience maternal mental health conditions, almost double the national average for civilian women. To combat this issue, the MOMS Who Serve Act would implement evidence-based models across the military to support perinatal health outcomes for serving mothers.

“For our troops, mental readiness must be as important as physical readiness to give their best in defense of our country,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “In recognition of a new generation of warfighters, military leadership owes it to mothers and their families to provide them with the resources to make sure this is possible. With Honor Action endorses the MOMS Who Serve Act and thanks Rep. Houlahan and Rep. Bacon for their leadership.”

In 2021, With Honor Action successfully helped pass Rep. Houlahan’s Military Moms Matter Act, which increased access to postpartum care in Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), including mental health assessments. We urge Congress to include this important legislation in the upcoming drafting of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

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With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans across party lines who pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage. With Honor Action works alongside the bipartisan For Country Caucus in Congress to pass critical legislation for our nation. Learn more about our work at withhonor.org 

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 II.

With Honor Action Endorses the TIGER Act

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Washington, DC – As conflicts around the world continue to rage, the United States must be prepared to defend our interests, friends, and partners around the globe. To improve our preparedness, With Honor Action endorses the TIGER Act, bipartisan legislation led by For Country Caucus Members Representative Mike Waltz and Representative Seth Moulton. As Members of the Technical, Industrial, and Governmental Engagement for Readiness (TIGER) task force, they introduced this bill to streamline the process for U.S. foreign military sales (FMS) to our friends and partners around the world.

The current FMS process is plagued by delays and backlogs, and TIGER lawmakers are working to address that issue. In order to authorize sales worth $14 million or more, the President must receive approval from Congress, before a plethora of next steps can begin. This amount hasn’t been adjusted for inflation in 21 years. The TIGER Act seeks to raise the dollar amount threshold to $23 million. This would significantly decrease wait times and allow allies such as Taiwan and Ukraine to receive critical arms shipments in a timely manner.

“Our friends in Ukraine are on the brink of disaster, and the weapons they need are stuck due to a dated and inefficient process,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “With Honor Action endorses the TIGER Act, and we look forward to the streamlining of the FMS process. We thank Representative Waltz and Representative Moulton for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to address this issue.”

The world is depending on us. The TIGER Act is bipartisan, common-sense legislation that would adjust our FMS process to align with inflation and allow us to safeguard freedom and democracy around the world.

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With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by supporting principled veterans across party lines who pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage. With Honor Action works alongside the bipartisan For Country Caucus in Congress to pass critical legislation for our nation. Learn more about our work at withhonor.org 

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 II.

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