With Honor Action Celebrates Honoring the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War

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Washington, D.C. – Today, the House passed the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act to award a Congressional Gold Medal, one of our nation’s highest honors, to members of the Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War. This bipartisan legislation was led in the House by Rep. Derek Kilmer and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and passed in the Senate earlier this year after being led by Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. With Honor Action celebrates the passage of this legislation in both chambers with the support of Members from the For Country Caucus. 

“Awarding the brave men and women who heroically served in the Dustoff crews during the Vietnam War with a Congressional Gold Medal is long overdue, and the least we can do to honor their service and sacrifice to our nation. I am thrilled to see that Congress took the necessary steps to make this recognition a reality,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “With Honor Action applauds House lawmakers for passing this critical legislation in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion, and urges the president to swiftly sign it into law.”

The Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act was originally introduced in 2023, passed through the Senate in May of 2024, and, as a result of its passage in the House today, will now be sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law. With Honor Action has played an active and key role in the advocacy of this bill and looks forward to seeing these brave servicemembers finally recognized for their heroic service. Although it’s been 49 years since the end of the war, it’s never too late to honor these brave men for their service. 

Background

Due to the logistical complications posed by Vietnam’s terrain, the U.S. Army reconsidered a dangerous tactic used sparingly during the Korean War to evacuate wounded servicemembers: aeromedical evacuations. The U.S. Army Air-Ambulance units, referred to as the Dustoff crews, were in charge of these evacuations and consisted of four men: two pilots, a medic, and a crew chief. The skillful flying of these pilots, combined with the increased capacity of the Huey helicopters they flew in, led to the successful transportation of roughly 900,000 United States, Vietnamese, and allied troops. 

Unfortunately, this incredible feat came at a great price to the crewmembers. Due to the space required to transport and operate on patients, the Hueys were unable to carry weapons. Their only safety was red crosses on the nose and doors of the aircraft, a signal of peace that was often used instead as a target. As a result, one-third of the 1,400 Dustoff pilots were killed or wounded. Their motto, “So Others May Live” underscores the sacrifice of these heroic pilots who flew directly into combat unarmed to save their fellow soldiers.

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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 Celebrates House Passage of Key Priorities During China Week

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Washington, D.C. – This week, Congress returned to session after the annual August recess, and kicked off what is expected to be a busy month with “China Week,” where the House voted on a series of bills aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its influence in America. During the week, House lawmakers voted on and passed 25 different pieces of legislation pertaining to this issue that will ultimately strengthen our national security. With Honor Action has played a key role in advocating for several pieces of legislation that made it to the House floor this week, and celebrates the passage of the following with overwhelming bipartisan support: 

  • H.R. 8333 – The BIOSECURE Act, led by For Country Caucus Member Rep. Brad Wenstrup, would protect sensitive American information from the CCP by prohibiting federally funded medical providers and executive agencies from obtaining materials produced or provided by foreign biotechnology companies of concern.
  • H.R. 8152 – The Remote Access Security Act, led by For Country Caucus Member Rep. Jeff Jackson, would take necessary steps to protect advanced American semiconductor chip information from the CCP. Despite current restrictions on the export of these chips, Chinese companies have been able to exploit a loophole in U.S. export control laws to access this technology remotely and use it to develop AI capabilities. This legislation would close that loophole and protect sensitive information.
  • H.R. 7159 – The Pacific Partnership Act, supported by For Country Caucus Members Rep. Steve Womack and Rep. Don Bacon, would strengthen U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific, and ensure the U.S. has an enduring presence in this critical region. Specifically, it would augment our cooperation with the Indo-Pacific by codifying the 2022 Pacific Partnership Strategy with four-year updates, designates the Pacific Islands Forum with diplomatic status, and requires presidential reporting on implementation of these strategies. 
  • H.R. 8361 – The Economic Espionage Prevention Act, led by For Country Caucus Member Rep. Rich McCormick, would bolster our national security by authorizing the Administration to impose sanctions on foreign persons or entities that knowingly engage in economic or industrial espionage. 
  • H.R. 9456 – The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act would take necessary steps to prevent adversarial nations, such as the CCP, from buying and owning U.S. agricultural land in sensitive areas. This is critical as the CCP continues to buy U.S. land close to military bases as a measure to obtain surveillance and intelligence on our armed forces. Specifically, this legislation would add the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investments in the U.S. (CFIUS), allowing the Department of Agriculture to better monitor transactions related to land, biotechnology, transportation, storage, and processing. 

With Honor Action also applauds the passage of the following legislation that passed with bipartisan support:

  • H.R. 2864 – Countering CCP Drones Act
  • H.R. 1103 – Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act
  • H.R. 7589 – Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security (ROUTERS) Act
  • H.R. 554 – Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act
  • H.R. 4741 – Securing Global Telecommunications Act
  • H.Res. 1056 – Recognizing the importance of trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea

“As China week comes to a close, With Honor Action celebrates the passage of several key pieces of legislation to curb the CCP’s influence in the United States,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “The U.S. has a responsibility to lead the free world in standing up to authoritarian governments, and we applaud the House lawmakers who came together this week to do just that.” 

As the Chinese Communist Party grows increasingly aggressive, pushing back against their authoritarian influence is critical to our national security as well as our allies’ national security. With Honor Action applauds House lawmakers for advancing these bills and strongly urges the Senate to pass them swiftly in a bipartisan manner.

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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.

U.S. Servicemembers Killed During Afghanistan Withdrawal Honored With Congressional Gold Medal

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Washington, D.C. – Thirteen Gold Star families of the servicemembers killed during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan were posthumously presented with the Congressional Gold Medal this morning in the United States Capitol Rotunda. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and sponsors of the legislation, Senator Steve Daines and Rep. Lisa McClain, presented the medals to the families of the fallen this morning in a solemn ceremony.

The fallen servicemembers, including eleven Marines, a Navy Corpsman, and an Army Soldier, were killed in a suicide bombing at the Abbey Gate outside Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26th, 2021. The attack also killed around 170 Afghan civilians.

“Three years ago, thirteen of our nation’s bravest men and women made the ultimate sacrifice while evacuating civilians from Kabul,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “While we can never bring them back, we can and must honor them for their sacrifice. With Honor Action extends our deepest gratitude to the fallen and their families, and applauds these servicemembers being honored with the Congressional Gold Medal today.”

The Afghanistan withdrawal will forever be remembered as one of the darkest times in our nation’s history. As our longest war came to a close, thirteen heroes were killed in a senseless act of violence as they worked to evacuate civilians from the area. We can never repay them for their sacrifice, and we can never bring them back, but honoring these servicemembers posthumously with the Congressional Gold Medal today helps make sure they will never be forgotten. 

Rest in Peace

  • Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
  • Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
  • Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover
  • Cpl. Hunter Lopez
  • Cpl. Daegan W. Page
  • Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez
  • Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza
  • Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
  • Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum
  • Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola
  • Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui
  • Petty Officer 3rd Class Maxton W. Soviak
  • Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss

 

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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 Releases Total Number of Veterans Running in the 2024 Election Cycle

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Washington, D.C. – With Honor Action fights polarization in Congress by helping to elect and support principled veterans. This cycle, 495 veterans have taken up the call to serve their country again by  running for Congress. This includes 213 post 9-11 veterans.

While this is a significant number of candidates, the absolute number represents a decline from last election cycle, where 744 ran for Congress, including 475 post 9-11 veterans.  That election cycle, 86 veterans won the general election and joined the 118th Congress, 80 in the House, and 6 in the Senate . With Honor Action has tracked the total number and success of veteran candidates since its founding in 2017, starting with the 2018 cycle. More information can be found in the chart below.

With Honor Action assesses that fewer veterans have run this election cycle for a number of reasons, which include rising costs to run for office, decline of public respect for serving in elected office, and a decline in the percentage of veterans in the U.S. population. Currently, there are 16 million Americans veterans as compared to 18 million in 2018.

With Honor’s political action committee’s have a rigorous endorsement process which starts with assessing a candidate’s viability and commitment to the With Honor pledge. This cycle, With Honor endorsed 8.2% of veterans who ran for Congress, the list can be found on the With Honor Fund website here. 

 

With Honor Action Applauds House Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

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Washington, DC – The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the annual legislative vehicle that authorizes the policies, programs, and spending for the Department of Defense, and it is the only piece of legislation to consistently pass on a bipartisan basis. With Honor Action is excited to see this trend continue as House lawmakers have passed their version of the crucial legislation. Currently, the Senate Armed Services Committee is marking up its version of the NDAA, which is expected to be referred to the Senate floor by the end of the week. Once the Senate passes its version of the NDAA, the two chambers will convene in conference to remedy any differences to produce a final version. While there is still a lengthy road ahead, the bipartisan passage of the House version today is an important next step in getting this legislation across the finish line. 

“The National Defense Authorization Act is a model for how Congress should function. After decades of its bipartisan passage, we’re glad to see both sides of the aisle coming together yet again to strengthen our national security,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “The annual defense bill has made it through the House, but it still has a way to go. With Honor Action hopes to see the below priorities included in the final version of the bill.”

The House Armed Services Committee’s Quality of Life Panel, led by For Country Caucus Members Rep. Don Bacon and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, produced a report geared at improving the quality of life for service members and their families, ultimately serving as the base text for the FY25 NDAA. Some notable ideas proposed in the report include a significant pay increase for junior enlisted troops and a plan to address dilapidated housing conditions on military installations worldwide. With Honor Action proudly endorses all of the recommendations outlined in the report, along with the following legislative provisions that were included in the House NDAA:

  • Establishment of Multilateral Artificial Intelligence Group, proposed by For Country Caucus Member Rep. Nick LaLota, would establish a working group to develop and coordinate an artificial intelligence (AI) initiative within the Five Eyes Alliance and other international partners, ensuring that AI’s development is defined by the freedom and ideals of the US and our closest allies.
  • Prohibitions Relating to Covered Distributed Ledger Technology and Blockchain Equipment of Services, also known as the CLARITY Act, led by For Country Caucus Members Rep. Zach Nunn, Rep. Don Davis, and Rep. Brad Wenstrup would combat adversarial cyber attacks, protect our intellectual property, and strengthen our overall national security by prohibiting the federal government from using blockchain technology developed by an adversarial nation.  
  • Biotechnology Roadmap – To ensure our Department of Defense remains at the forefront of advancing biotechnology, For Country Caucus Member Rep. Moulton led this provision to require the Secretary of Defense to develop a biotechnology roadmap to guide ongoing efforts as they relate to its development.
  • The Maintaining our Obligations to Moms Who Serve (MOMS) Act, led by For Country Caucus Members Rep. Houlahan & Rep. Bacon, would assess the feasibility and impact of using evidence-based perinatal mental health programs for both pregnant and postpartum servicemembers in an effort to address poor mental health rates for military moms.
  • Blast Pressure Safety and Brain Health – Supported by seven For Country Caucus Members, this provision would require the military to track service members’ exposure to blasts in training and regularly provide neurocognitive tests to troops who have been exposed to such blasts.
  • Basic Needs Allowance: Exclusion of Basic Allowance for Housing, led by For Country Caucus Member Rep. Jimmy Panetta, would ensure military families have the proper resources they need to comfortably live by excluding Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) from the calculation of gross household income of an eligible member of the Armed Forces when determining whether they also qualify for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA).
  • Independent Evaluation Regarding Potential Establishment of United States Cyber Force – Led by For Country Caucus Members Reps. Morgan Luttrell & Chrissy Houlahan, this provision will direct the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the efficacy, logistics, and proposed processes in establishing a separate, uniformed Cyber Force.

With Honor Action applauds the passage of the House NDAA and urges lawmakers in Congress to continue working together to produce an NDAA that strengthens national security, delivers long-overdue promises to servicemembers and their families, and fosters the spirit of bipartisan leadership.

Read a full list of our supported NDAA floor amendments HERE. 

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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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