With Honor Action and HillVets Host VSO Reception on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action and HillVets hosted a veteran service organization (VSO) reception on Capitol Hill to bridge the gap between grassroots advocacy and legislative power.

Alongside the nearly 40 veteran legislators of the For Country Caucus, With Honor Action is committed to amplifying the military veteran voice in the areas of national security, national service, and veterans affairs issues. Engaging directly with advocates and strengthening connections with organizations that serve those who served our country in uniform remains one of the cornerstones of our work.

We were joined by Chamber of Mothers, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Hiring Our Heroes, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the The National Guard Association of the United States, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), the Reserve Organization of America (ROA), Student Veterans of America, The American Legion, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) participating and fostering important collaborations.

With Honor Action Joins Allied Leaders at the 2026 London Defence Conference

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action joined heads of government, senior military leaders, policymakers, industry executives, and media at the 2026 London Defence Conference (LDC). This annual gathering of allied nations focuses on elevating the importance of defense and security in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Held at the historic Old War Office in Whitehall from April 10-11, LDC convenes allied leadership to confront the defining questions in defense and security. Our participation reflects the strong relationships that With Honor Action has cultivated across government and allied defense communities to advance our shared, bipartisan priorities with the veterans in the For Country Caucus.

This year’s conference centered on a single, urgent theme: warfighting readiness. Senior officials delivered frank assessments, warning that current capabilities may be insufficient for sustained large-scale conflict. They called for accelerated rearmament across the U.K. and NATO, reinforced by major procurement announcements. LDC 2026 marked a clear shift from strategic dialogue to coordinated action, as allied nations respond to a more volatile global environment.

On day two of LDC, With Honor Action sponsored a roundtable with the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), placing American biotechnology policy at the center of an allied defense forum.

Conducted under the Chatham House Rule, the private session brought together senior representatives from allied governments, industry, and research institutions across three continents. Participants explored the growing role of biotechnology as a cornerstone of national security and economic strength.

This discussion builds on a landmark year for American biotechnology. In December 2025, Congress passed a significant package of biotechnology provisions informed by the NSCEB’s Final Report, including 17 With Honor Action-supported measures to strengthen biotechnology across the defense and intelligence communities. Those provisions addressed national security coordination, defense-focused development and manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and expanded allied collaboration.

The conference concluded with remarks from Al Carns, a Member of Parliament, Minister for the Armed Forces, Royal Marines veteran, and a partner within With Honor Action’s network. On the transatlantic alliance, he was unambiguous: the UK-US relationship “is not measured in commentary. It is measured in what we do and what we have done.”

Last October in Washington, Minister Carns joined us for the With Honor Action’s Strength in Democracy Forum and toasted the transatlantic alliance at our Gala, a relationship that reflects the kind of allied engagement LDC exists to deepen.

With Honor Action remains committed to advancing bipartisan veteran leadership and strengthening the alliances that underpin global security.

With Honor Action and America250 Kick Off Our Nation’s Semiquincentennial

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

L-R: Rye Barcott, With Honor Co-Founder & CEO, Lynn Forney Young, former president of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Cathy Gillespie, Commissioner of America250, Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, former Rep. Joe Crowley, Rep. Robert Aderholt, Rep. Nick LaLota, Jennifer Condon, Executive Vice President of America250.org, Inc.

With Honor Action was excited to host the America250 Commission and Congressional America250 Caucus Reception on Capitol Hill, a special evening marking the kick-off of our nation’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.

As a Founding Sponsor, With Honor Action is proud to support America250 in bringing Americans together—through service, civic engagement, and a renewed commitment to put country over politics. Together with the Congressional America250 Caucus–the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in U.S. history–alongside federal agencies and national partners, the event highlighted collaborative efforts already underway to orchestrate a celebration and commemoration from sea to shining sea.

With Honor Co-Founder & CEO Rye Barcott reminded attendees of the importance of youth service, noting that less than 2% of Americans serve in any capacity, whether in the military or through civilian service programs like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps. With Honor Action and America250 share a commitment to making this year the largest year of service in American history, so that it remains a cornerstone of the American experience.

For Country Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Nick LaLota, along with members Rep. Pat Harrigan, Rep. Tom Barrett, Rep. Derek Tran, Rep. Jen Kiggans, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Rep. Matt Van Epps were also in attendance as members of the Congressional America250 Caucus.

 

With Honor Action and Snake Island Institute Host Congressional Staff Briefing on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

With Honor Action and Snake Island Institute (SII) hosted a congressional staff briefing on Capitol Hill, bringing together policy leaders and members of a visiting Ukrainian military and defense innovation delegation to examine lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield-tested approach to modern warfare.

On the battlefields of Ukraine, the future of warfare is being written in real time. Yesterday on Capitol Hill, policymakers got a rare chance to hear about it directly from the people fighting it.

Ukrainian speakers shared what they’ve learned the hard way: how to neutralize mass drone and missile attacks through layered, integrated air defense; how a smaller naval force can outmaneuver a larger one through asymmetric maritime strategy in the Black Sea; and how Ukraine has built one of the world’s fastest-growing defense technology ecosystems, turning battlefield necessity into innovation that the United States’s military could benefit from.

Learn more about Snake Island Institute’s report on Ukraine’s air defense campaign, examining how Ukraine built, adapted, and sustained its air defense system since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, here.

With Honor Action Marks 1 Year of Biotech Across America with the NSCEB

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

L-R: NSCEB Executive Director Caitlin Frazer, Commissioners Paul Arcangeli and Dawn Meyerriecks, Vice-Chair Michelle Rozo, House BIOTech Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, NSCEB Chair Sen. Todd Young, House BIOTech Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Stephanie Bice, BIO President and CEO John Crowley, and With Honor Co-Founder & CEO Rye Barcott

With Honor Action was pleased to host a reception to celebrate a historic year for biotechnology in America, highlighting the legislative progress achieved over the past year and recognize the work advancing biotechnology as a key pillar of American national security and economic strength.

In December 2025, Congress passed a significant package of biotechnology provisions informed by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB)’s Final Report. The legislation incorporated 17 With Honor Action-supported provisions in last year’s defense bill, aimed at strengthening biotechnology across the defense and intelligence communities, including steps to improve national security coordination, accelerate biotechnology development and manufacturing for defense applications, address supply chain risks, and expand collaboration with allies.

“We had a singular focus from the very beginning. We wanted to do all we could to make sure that we optimize our biotech ecosystem in this country all to the benefit of the national security of the American people.” – Senator Todd Young, NSCEB Chair

The reception also featured showcases from Exiger, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC), and the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), allowing event attendees to experience the recent breakthroughs in the biotech industry.

“We all collectively recognize that we need to work together on this, because this is really, really important work. And it uniquely will impact, the health and safety of our country and of the world.” – Representative Chrissy Houlahan, House BIOTech Caucus Co-Chair

We are especially grateful for the leadership of Sen. Todd Young, a With Honor Action ally, and For Country Caucus member Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Founding Vice Chair of the For Country Caucus—both veterans—as well as Rep. Stephanie Bice, all of whom have helped elevate biotechnology as a critical national security priority.

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With Honor Action Celebrates the For Country Caucus Seven Year Anniversary

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

L-R: For Country Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Don Davis, former Vice Chair Rep. Jim Baird, Founding Co-Chair Rep. Don Bacon, Vice Chair Rep. Herb Conaway, MD, Rep. Pat Harrigan, Vice Chair Rep. Troy Downing, & Rep. Tom Barrett.

With Honor Action was pleased to host an anniversary reception to celebrate seven years of the For Country Caucus. The For Country Caucus was founded to bring together Republican and Democratic veterans committed to putting service before politics and working across the aisle to strengthen America’s national security.  Over the past seven years, caucus members have advanced more than 200 bipartisan initiatives that reflect the values of those who have worn the uniform.

Since its founding, With Honor Action has worked to support and elevate principled veteran leaders dedicated to integrity, civility, and effective governance; values that are embodied in the continued work of the caucus. Rooted in a mission to promote cross-partisan collaboration and restore a spirit of service in Washington, we support a new generation of men and women answering the call to serve again, and take the With Honor Pledge to put principles before politics.

The reception, held at Bullfeathers on Capitol Hill, brought together members, supporters, and partners for an evening of reflection and renewed commitment. The event featured remarks from Founding Co-Chair Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), and current Co-Chair Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), along with current Vice Chairs Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT) and Rep. Herb Conaway (D-NJ), each underscoring the importance of trust, teamwork, and mission-driven leadership in today’s political climate.

The evening served not only as a celebration of past accomplishments but also as a powerful reminder of what is possible when leaders choose collaboration over division. The caucus continues to demonstrate that bipartisan cooperation is still possible in Washington when leaders commit to putting country before party.

Read the press release marking the Caucus’s 7th anniversary here.

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