With Honor Action Praises House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action praises the bipartisan passage of the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The NDAA passed by a bipartisan vote of 329-101.

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, on their legislative achievements included in this year’s House version of the yearly defense bill. These provisions span three of With Honor Action’s top legislative priorities: national security, national service, and veterans affairs.

“The NDAA process is the gold standard of bipartisan legislative work. This year was no exception,” said Rye Barcott, CEO and Co-Founder of With Honor Action. “The work of the For Country Caucus will undoubtedly improve the lives of our service members, military families, and our veterans. But it will also ensure the strength and resilience of this nation by improving integration of artificial intelligence and biotechnology into our national security apparatus, boosting our federal digital workforce, and securing our critical infrastructure.”

A number of For Country Caucus members serve as members of the House Armed Services Committee, which leads the NDAA process, including: Representatives Don Bacon, Jack Bergman, Anthony Brown, Salud Carbajal, Jason Crow, Scott Franklin, Mike Gallagher, Jared Golden, Chrissy Houlahan, Kai Kahele, Elaine Luria, Seth Moulton, Jimmy Panetta, Mikie Sherrill, and Mike Waltz.

Below, find a detailed list of these twenty-three particular, substantive bipartisan provisions:

Investing in the Future of Defense
  1. National Digital Reserve Corps
  2. Pilot Program on Cybersecurity Training for Veterans and Military Spouses
  3. U.S. Digital Service Academy
  4. CISA Leadership Act
  5. Space National Guard Establishment Act
  6. DHS Roles & Responsibilities in Cyberspace
  7. Establishment of Critical Technology Security Centers
  8. Support for Research and Development of Bioindustrial Manufacturing Processes
  9. Designation of Systemically Important Critical Infrastructure
  10. Sense of Congress on Taiwan Defense Relations
Supporting Service Members, Veterans, and their Families
  1. Onward to Opportunity Act
  2. The Post-Widows Tax Repeal SBP Open Enrollment for Service-Disabled Veterans Act
  3. Exclusion of Basic Allowance for Housing income from Basic Needs Allowance
  4. Military Housing Transparency and Accountability Act
  5. VA Same Day Scheduling Act
  6. U.S. Israel Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Collaborative Research Act
  7. Supporting Education Recognition for Veterans during Emergencies (SERVE) Act
  8. Get Rewarding Outdoor Work (GROW) Act
  9. Study on Incidence and Mortality of Cancer Among Former Aircrew
  10. Report on Adverse Childhood Events in Servicemembers
Encouraging National Service and Civic Engagement
  1. Expanding opportunities for Junior Reserve Officer Training Program participation
Honoring our Wartime Promises to Afghan Allies
  1. Extension and Modification of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program
  2. Expansion of the Afghan SIV Program to Include Combat Wounded Afghan Allies
You can read more about these provisions here.

With Honor Action Sends Letter to House and Senate Leadership About National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action sent a letter to House and Senate leadership today about the urgent need to appoint the final four commissioners to the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB).

The establishment of this commission was an outgrowth of an effort championed by two bipartisan, veteran Members of the For Country Caucus – Representatives Mike Gallagher and Seth Moulton. This commission follows in the footsteps of other bipartisan commissions that addressed emerging national security challenges, including the Cyber Solarium Commission and the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

The Senate and House Armed Services Committee Chairs and Ranking Members have selected eight commissioners for the NSCEB, but the full power of the commission cannot be realized until House and Senate leadership appoint the final four commissioners.

“I am writing to encourage you to appoint your commissioners as soon as practical, so that the NSCEB can begin their vital work in earnest,” writes Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action, to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Barcott goes on to write, “I appreciate your consideration of the above request – your robust support of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology will pay generational dividends for American national security.”

With Honor Action Praises Bipartisan Passage of Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act

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CHARLOTTE, NC – ​​With Honor Action praises the bipartisan passage of the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act. About 16 million Americans served in the US military during World War II. Just 7,000 were Rangers. They were known for spearheading invasions from Africa to D-Day in Normandy and liberating many prisoners from Nazi concentration camps. As of 2021 only 19 World War II Army Rangers were living.

“Thank you to the bipartisan For Country Caucus members and veterans for driving this legislation forward in the House and making it possible for us to honor our brave World War II Army Rangers,” said Rye Barcott, CEO and Co-Founder of With Honor Action. “Their selfless service and courage on the battlefield merit the long overdue Congressional Gold Medal and our nation’s enduring gratitude. Sua sponte.”

The majority of For Country Caucus (FCC) members, which With Honor Action works alongside, contributed to the passage. FCC members Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), Congresswoman Marianette Miller Meeks (IA-02), and Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-06) introduced the bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives.

“As a 24-year Army veteran, I am thrilled to see our bipartisan resolution has now passed both chambers of Congress and is ready to become law. The brave young men who served in the first Ranger Battalions served their country with honor and courage,” said Miller-Meeks. “The Congressional Gold Medal is the least we can do to honor the legacy of these heroes. We will never forget their service and sacrifice.”

With Honor Action Mourns the Passing of Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action mourns the passing today of former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the first female secretary of state and a member of With Honor’s first Advisory Board. Secretary Albright was a trailblazer, coming to America as a refugee in 1948, raising three children, and dedicating her life to the advancement of democracy and freedom. She served in many roles that helped improve the nation and the world, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chair of the National Democratic Institute, and Chair of the Defense Policy Board.

“Secretary Madeleine Albright was an inspiration and a global force for democracy. I was fortunate to know her and grow from the generosity of her spirit and the strength of her leadership,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “We miss her already, and we carry on inspired and informed by her life of service.”

With Honor Action Praises the Bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Package

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action praises the bipartisan efforts behind the passage of the omnibus appropriations package in the House. In this pivotal time, this legislation provides a critical investment in security assistance and humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian people, and crucial long-term investments in artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities in the U.S. government. With Honor Action and the bipartisan, veteran-led For Country Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives we work alongside, have previously called for urgent aid to Ukraine and long-term support for artificial intelligence and cyber. As the legislation moves towards a vote in the Senate, we call on the U.S. Senate to pass it on a bipartisan basis.

“The bipartisan nature of the omnibus appropriations package is incredibly promising. We are grateful to see some of With Honor Action’s highest priorities in the legislation, including investments we have been advocating for in artificial intelligence and cyber, as well as urgent humanitarian and national security assistance for the Ukrainian people,” says Rye Barcott, With Honor Action Co-Founder and CEO. “I look forward to seeing this legislation pass the Senate. It is time for bold bipartisan action that shows the world the United States is leading the effort to help Ukrainians and their democratically elected government, not paralyzing partisan division in this time of crisis.”

With Honor Action Statement on Bipartisan Policies to Support Ukraine

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CHARLOTTE, NC – The Ukrainian people are in a fight for their democracy. Members of Congress, including the veterans in the For Country Caucus that With Honor Action works alongside, have condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine, engaged with the Ukrainian government and people, and proven there is space for bipartisan support of our allies. With Honor Action calls on Congress to seize this opportunity to develop bipartisan policies in support of Ukraine. We must give the Ukrainian people the tools they need to protect their freedom, sovereignty, and security.

There are a number of specific policies to help the Ukrainian people that already have bipartisan support:

  • A funding package of at least $10 billion for humanitarian and national security assistance to Ukraine.
  • Measures to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, including a three-way deal with Poland to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine.
  • A U.S. embargo on Russian energy, including oil, coupled with a comprehensive plan to stabilize U.S. oil prices.

This is a time for bold bipartisan action, not paralyzing partisan division. With Honor Action continues to stand with Ukraine and the bipartisan veterans in Congress we support. We call on all of Congress to show solidarity and take immediate action.

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