With Honor Endorses Cyberspace Solarium Commission Recommendations for FY23 NDAA

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Charlotte, NC – With Honor Action praises the bipartisan and bicameral efforts to bolster America’s cyber and digital capabilities in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) but encourages the Senate to debate and pass their version swiftly. The House of Representatives passed its version of the NDAA on July 14, and the Senate is expected to debate and pass its version of the defense bill following the midterm election. After the Senate’s passage of the bill, the chambers will form a conference committee to reconcile differences in the bills.

As currently drafted, both chambers’ versions of the yearly defense bill make critical investments to America’s digital and cyber capabilities, hardening America’s cyber defenses and investing in our cyber workforce, but they need to be realized into law. The most impactful cyber provisions are outgrowths of recommendations made by the bipartisan Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), Co-Chaired by For Country Caucus Member Rep. Mike Gallagher and Senator Angus King of Maine. The CSC and its successor – the CSC 2.0 project, are vital to developing a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyber attacks of significant consequences.

“We are grateful for the thoughtful, bipartisan work to strengthen America’s cyber defenses led by the Members of the For Country Caucus and informed by professionals like RADM (ret.) Mark Montgomery of the CSC 2.0 Project,” said Rye Barcott, CEO and Co-Founder of With Honor Action. “If enacted, these provisions will ensure that America remains the world’s preeminent cyber power.”

The following provisions in the House and Senate versions of the NDAA are of particular importance to With Honor. A full list of endorsed cyber provisions can be found here.

In the House Bill – H.R. 7900 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023:

  • Section 5867 – Department of Defense Cyber and Digital Service Academy: Establishes a Department of Defense (DOD) Cyber and Digital Service Academy as a scholarship-for-service program in partnership with select universities and colleges. Scholarship recipients would receive financial support for cyber and related fields of study before incurring a DOD service requirement.
  • Section 1112 – National Digital Reserve Corps: Establishes a program under the General Services Administration that will bridge the needs of the federal government with private sector capabilities by creating a reserve of cybersecurity and digital experts who can be detailed to executive agencies for at least 30 days per calendar year.
  • Section 1504 – Cyber Threat Information Collaboration Environment Program: The collaborative environment will be designed to remove barriers to cyber threat information sharing between the public and private sectors. The currently fragmented approach has led to slow responses to attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure, this new environment would allow the federal government to rapidly detect, identify, and disseminate cyber threats and vulnerabilities to private-sector experts.
  • Section 5133 – Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion: Establishes a pilot program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide cybersecurity training to eligible veterans and military spouses. DHS in coordination with the Veterans Administration will provide free training for eligible veterans, service members, and spouses thereby providing veterans and military families with new opportunities while developing America’s cyber talent.

In the Senate Bill – S.Amdt. 5499 to H.R. 7900 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023:

  • Title LV Sections 5501 to 5509 – Information Security and Cyber Diplomacy Act: In April, the State Department announced that it will create its first Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. This bill will fund the bureau and emphasize the importance of its work by strengthening it with statutory language to carry out its mission of modernizing American diplomacy by partnering with our allies in cyberspace and to promote freedom of communications and information.

With Honor Action Mourns the Passing of Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action mourns the passing of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter. Secretary Carter was the 25th Secretary of Defense and previously served as Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs. He most recently served as the Director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he was Belfer Professor of Technology and Global Affairs.

“Secretary Carter was a giant of U.S. national security and one of the leading voices for technological innovation in defense,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “His legacy is the profound impact he made on American security during his decades of service and the thousands of young Americans he mentored during his time in Washington and at Harvard. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

With Honor Action Endorses the Afghan Adjustment Act

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CHARLOTTE, NC – Last week, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Congressman Peter Meijer (MI-03), Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) introduced the Afghan Adjustment Act, a bipartisan and bicameral bill that With Honor Action is proud to endorse. The bill would give a pathway to permanent legal status for our Afghan allies in the U.S. who relocated here after the U.S. withdrawal from the country last year. The bill establishes additional vetting requirements during the application process that would allow an adjustment of status for eligible Afghans who are seeking to rebuild their lives here in the U.S.

Other co-sponsors of the bill include For Country Caucus members Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06).

“The U.S. mission in Afghanistan depended on brave Afghans serving as interpreters, democracy advocates, and women’s rights advocates – they were vital to the twenty-year mission. But despite their valiant and dutiful service to America, many Afghans arrived in the U.S. during last year’s evacuation with no clear path to stable residency,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “The Afghan Adjustment Act fixes that problem and ensures America keeps its promise to our Afghan allies. With Honor Action is proud to join Congressman Peter Meijer and Congressman Earl Blumenauer in supporting our Afghan allies, and we hope to see broad bipartisan Congressional support for the Afghan Adjustment Act.”

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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, General Nadja West, and David Gergen.

With Honor Action Praises the Honoring Our PACT Act

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action praises the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act (Honoring Our PACT Act), which was signed into law today by President Biden. The legislation passed in the U.S. Senate earlier this month, with a bipartisan vote of 86-11, following passage in the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 342-88. This landmark legislation ensures millions of veterans who were exposed to burn pits, radiation, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances while in combat receive the medical care they need.

With Honor Action proudly joined dozens of veterans organizations in the push for passage, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), who have led on the issue for years. We applaud this committed network of organizations on their major accomplishment and thank them for their continued work to put the needs of our service members first. With Honor Action also congratulates members of the For Country Caucus, a bipartisan group of veterans in Congress that With Honor Action proudly works alongside, who led efforts for passage in the House.

“Congress and the Administration came together on behalf of our country’s veterans, putting principles before politics,” said Rye Barcott, CEO and Co-Founder of With Honor Action. “Our veterans protected us on the battlefield. It’s our turn to protect them at home by providing the best medical care we can.”

If you’re a veteran who would like to learn more about how this legislation will potentially impact your care and benefits, please visit this newly launched U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resource page.

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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, General 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 Releases New Research on Veterans Running for Congress

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CHARLOTTE, NC – Over the past four years, With Honor Action has closely tracked the number of veterans running for Congress and compiled a robust database. With Honor Action’s research shows an increase in the number of veterans running for the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate in the 2022 campaign cycle, growing from 628 in 2018 to 685 in 2022. The number of veterans running for the U.S. House of Representatives has increased modestly from 2018 to 2022, going from 580 to 587.

A key area of growth is the number of post-9/11 veterans, who mainly served during the Global War on Terrorism, running for the U.S. House of Representatives. While 258 post-9/11 veterans ran for the House in 2018, 393 post-9/11 veterans ran for the House in 2022. That number increased for post-9/11 veterans running for Senate, as well, with 12 running in 2018 and 52 running in 2022.

“A new generation of bipartisan veterans is running for office and winning, which is good for Congress and the country,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “The more veterans continue to serve their country out of uniform, the more effective, bipartisan, and less polarized our Congress will be.”

Importantly, With Honor Action’s research found that veterans from a range of service branches are running for the House and Senate in large numbers. Of the 684 veterans running for House and Senate in 2022, 283 served in the Army, 161 in the Navy, 108 in the Air Force, 108 in the Marine Corps, 46 in the National Guard, and 7 Coast Guard. Note that some veteran candidates belong to multiple branches of the military and have been counted multiple times in the service branch totals.

“Crisis after crisis has shown that the world needs fresh vision and leadership.  One of the best ways to rebuild public trust in our institutions — especially in Congress — is to prepare and encourage a new generation of principled veterans to take up the mantle of leadership.” said David Gergen, Co-Founder and Board Chair of With Honor Action. “What a good sign for the country that so many outstanding veterans are already answering the call.”

With Honor Action will continue to update its research and share new findings on veterans running for Congress. If you have questions about our research or would like to speak to With Honor Action CEO Rye Barcott, please reach out to Kate Constantini at constantini@withhonor.org.

With Honor Action Praises the CHIPS and Science Act

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action praises the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which was signed into law today by President Biden. The legislation passed on a bipartisan basis in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month.

Despite being used in thousands of products including cars, gaming consoles, medical devices, cell phones, and our military defense systems, it is estimated that a mere 12% of the world’s chips are produced in the United States while Asia accounts for about 80% of production. The CHIPS and Science Act will reduce reliance on foreign semiconductor manufacturers by incentivising domestic manufacturing and production. This landmark legislation will ensure the U.S. remains a global competitor while securing our national security.

With Honor Action congratulates members of the For Country Caucus, a bipartisan group of veterans in Congress that With Honor Action proudly works alongside, who led efforts for passage in the House. Many elements of the CHIPS and Science Act are based on recommendations from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), which With Honor Action and the For Country Caucus have worked to advance.

“The CHIPS and Science Act revitalizes the U.S.’s place as a global competitor in domestic semiconductor production while making historic investments in the National Science Foundation for technological research,” said Rye Barcott, CEO and Co-Founder of With Honor Action. “We’re also making sure that our service members have the weapons and systems they need in combat. This is an excellent step forward.”

With Honor Action looks forward to seeing continued investments in maintaining America’s competitive edge and future legislation further supporting our emerging technological capabilities.

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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, General 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.

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