With Honor Action’s Bipartisan Priorities in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action works alongside the For Country Caucus, a bipartisan group of 26 veteran Representatives, and a number of bipartisan Senators. Together we fight polarization in Congress, passing legislation focused on national security, national service, and veterans affairs.

With Honor Action advanced the 22 pieces of bipartisan legislation below in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

We are pleased the NDAA has passed both chambers of Congress for a 62nd year in a row and remains one of the only reliable pieces of annual legislation. However, we are disappointed that the bill failed to include a number of key priorities. For the second straight year, a deviation from regular order resulted in important bipartisan legislation being cut with little or no discussion from the final law. Notably, the NDAA failed to assist our Afghan allies evacuated to the United States last year and those trapped and at risk in Afghanistan.

1)Department of Defense Cyber & Digital Service Academy [Sec. 1535]

A key recommendation from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the DoD Cyber and Digital Academy establishes a scholarship-for-service program for students pursuing tech-related programs with a mandatory service requirement in the Department of Defense. This legislation will help build stronger technical talent that helps our military modernize and better prepare for the sweeping technological advancements we face in AI and other areas.

2)Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Expansion Act [Sec. 519A]

JROTC provides invaluable leadership training and civic education to tens thousands of young Americans across the nation. Initiated as a recommendation from the National Commission on Military, National Service, and Public Service, this act tasks the Secretary of Defense with expanding the number of JROTC units and developing a plan that would ensure greater access in rural, low-income, and historically underserved communities.

3)Expansion of Eligibility to Serve as Instructors in the JROTC [Sec. 512]

Current law states that JROTC instructors must be military retirees. This provision addresses the JROTC instructor shortage by expanding eligibility to servicemembers that have served at least eight years and received an honorable discharge.

4)Modification to Annual Report on Military & Security Developments Involving the Russian Federation [Sec. 1243]

The For Country Caucus has been among the most active bipartisan bodies in Congress engaged on Russian aggression and Ukrainian assistance and oversight. The Russian invasion of Ukraine presents the United States a unique opportunity to study the strategic and operational strengths and weaknesses of a rival military. This provision tasks the Department of Defense with developing an assessment to be submitted to Congress.

5)Sense of Congress on Taiwan Defense Relations [Sec. 5512]

Expresses the sense of Congress that Taiwan’s future will be determined by peaceful means, not Chinese force, and that the United States should continue to support the development of capable and modern Taiwanese defense forces that are prepared to repel a Chinese assault.

6)Report on the Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences for Servicemembers [House, Directive Report Language]

Directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study of the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). An ACE is a potentially traumatic event that occurs between the ages of 0 and 17. ACEs are one of the most significant risk factors for suicide and future mental and physical health crises, among service members.

7)Demonstration Project on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Services for Children of the Armed Forces [Directive Report Language]

Directs the Secretary of Defense to brief the Committees on Armed Services on the adequacy and availability of mental health services for children of military personnel with mental health needs.

8)Annual Report on Members Separating from the Active Duty Who File Claims for Disability Benefits [Sec. 563]

The U.S. has an obligation to acknowledge service-related disabilities. This provision requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report which details the number of Armed Service members who have filed claims for disability benefits since 2019. The report must include how these claims were handled, when the claim was submitted relative to their discharge date from active duty, and whether a mental health check was completed.

9)DHS Roles & Responsibilities in Cyberspace Act [Sec. 7124]

Tasks the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security with conducting a review of its incident response plans and sets the conditions for improvements to our cyber incident response framework.

10)Support for R&D of Bioindustrial Manufacturing Processes [Sec. 215]

Bioindustrial manufacturing is a nascent but exciting form of manufacturing that uses living organisms, cells, tissues, or enzymes, to produce materials that are both more environmentally sustainable and create a more resilient supply chain. This provision authorizes the Secretary of Defense to strengthen our bioindustrial manufacturing infrastructure through the creation of regional bioindustrial networks. This expansion will keep bioindustrial manufacturing in the U.S., securing supply chains essential to the production of critical chemicals and materials.

11)Supporting Education Recognition for Veterans During Emergencies (SERVE) Act [Sec. 5127]

Tasks the Department of Veterans Affairs with creating an online database of veterans who self report service-connected medical training. In moments of healthcare crises, this database will allow for the VA to call on these veterans for assistance.

12)Post-Widow’s Tax Repeal Survivor Benefits Plan Open Enrollment for Service-Disabled Veterans Act [Sec. 643]

In the 116th Congress, members of the For Country Caucus successfully repealed what was dubbed as the “Widow’s Tax.” The “Widow’s Tax” required surviving spouses who received a Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to pay a dollar-for-dollar offset from their Military Survivor Benefit Plan. Although the repeal helped many families, nearly 1,600 service-disabled veterans had withdrawn from the benefit plan and stopped paying premiums. This provision creates a special open enrollment period for this targeted veteran population, allowing them to re-enroll, catch up on any missed premiums, and collect the benefits.

13)Increases in Maximum Allowable Income for Purposes of Eligibility for Basic Needs Allowance [Sec. 611]

Addressing unacceptably high levels of food insecurity among working-age active duty, the legislation increases eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance , raising eligibility from household incomes that fall below 130% federal poverty guidelines to 150%, and allows the Secretary of Defense to increase eligibility threshold to 200% for specific cases.

14)Requirements to Reduce Out-of-Pocket Costs of Members of the Armed Forces for Uniform Items [Sec. 390]

Directs the Secretary of Defense to track out-of-pocket costs for uniforms. The findings will be used to develop an appropriate uniform replacement allowance for officers of the Armed Forces.

15)Fairness for Federal Firefighters [Sec. 5305]

Many federal firefighters are veterans, which prompted With Honor Action and members of the For Country Caucus to champion this legislation. The law intends to help an estimated 10,000 federal firefighters receive the same access to job-related disability and retirement benefits as state, county, and municipal firefighters by creating a presumption of service-connected disabilities stemming from serious diseases.

16)Treatment of Personally Identifiable Information Regarding Prospective Recruits [Sec. 531]

This law strengthens the privacy safeguards surrounding the collection of Personally Identifiable Information in military recruitment. It authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish the Military Recruiting Modernization Program as a pilot program to evaluate the usage of more modern technologies in handling personally identifiable information.

17)Short Course on Emerging Technologies for Senior Officials [Sec. 9507]

This provision, a priority of both the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and a recommendation of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a short course addressing how recent technological advances affect the Defense Department.

18)Improvements to Principal Cyber Advisors [Sec. 1501]

Codifies the offices and roles of the Principal Cyber Advisors. It also authorizes the PCA to the Secretary of Defense to certify portions of the Department’s Cyberspace Activities Budget.

19)Cybersecurity Grants for Schools [Sec. 7104]

With cyberattacks targeting schools on the rise, this provision increases funding for K-12 cybersecurity education, both for educators and students.

20)Cyber Diplomacy Act [Sec. 9502]

In April 2022, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the creation of a Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy to address “the national security challenges, economic opportunities, and implications for U.S. values associated with cyberspace, digital technologies, and digital policy.” Section 9502 codifies the Secretary’s announcement. This bureau will be led by the first-ever U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick, a Marine who served formerly on the With Honor Action Advisory Board.

21)Enhancing Maritime Cybersecurity [Sec. 11224]

Cyber attacks on the maritime ports increased by 400% in 2020. This provision tasks the Commandant of the Coast Guard and relevant cybersecurity agencies with developing a list of tools and resources open to the public designed to assist maritime operators in identifying, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents.

22)Baltic Reassurance Act [Sec. 1272]

Directs the Department of Defense to continue its comprehensive Baltic Defense Assessment, specifically focusing on interactions between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with NATO. This will be done in an effort to improve resistance to cyber aggression by the Russian Federation.

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 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.

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 Inclusion of Key 2022 National Defense Authorization Act Amendments

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CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action praises the inclusion of seven priority legislative amendments in the House of Representatives’ 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The important provisions will help preserve America’s technological competitiveness, enhance our national security, improve the lives of our service members and veterans, and assist in the resettlement of our Afghan allies.

“These seven amendments build upon a robust list of twelve important NDAA provisions advanced by the bipartisan, veteran-led For Country Caucus, in the House of Representatives.” said Rye Barcott, With Honor Action CEO and Co-Founder. “We look forward to working alongside the Senate to ensure these provisions and many other provisions on national security, national service, and military communities make it to the President’s desk for signature into law.”

Of particular note, advancing the recommendations of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) and securing proper oversight are both immediate and long-term priorities of With Honor Action. The items that passed the House yesterday include two recommendations from the NSCAI that the For Country Caucus Sub-Committee on AI moved forward. The For Country Caucus Sub-Committee on AI Members includes Representatives Kai Kahele, Don Bacon, Seth Moulton, Tony Gonzales, Mikie Sherrill, and Van Taylor. Representative Taylor also serves as the Co-Chair of the For Country Caucus alongside Representative Jared Golden.

1) Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Location Act – a provision, led by For Country Caucus Members Representatives and GWOT veterans Jason Crow and Mike Gallagher, establishing a location on the Reserve of the National Mall for a GWOT Memorial. Reference this Washington Post op-ed that With Honor Action worked on with the six surviving former Secretaries of Defense who led the Department of Defense during the GWOT.

2) National Digital Reserve Corps Act – an NSCAI recommendation, led by For Country Caucus Member Representative Tony Gonzales, establishing the National Digital Reserve Corps, a program within GSA that would allow private sector tech talent to work for the federal government for 30 days per calendar year in order to take on short term digital, cybersecurity, and AI projects.

3) Onward to Opportunity Act– a provision, led by For Country Caucus Member Representative Mikie Sherrill, implementing a pilot program which will use new screening tools and industry specific training pathways to optimize the assistance available for transitioning service members through the Veterans Administration.

4) Get Rewarding Outdoor Work for our Veterans Act – a provision, led by For Country Caucus Members Conor Lamb and Mike Waltz, directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a two-year pilot program employing veterans for Departments of the Interior and Agriculture conservation and resource management projects.

5) Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act – a provision, led by For Country Caucus Member Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, providing free annual America the Beautiful Passes to current military service members and free lifetime America the Beautiful Passes to veterans and members of Gold Star Families so they can access our National Parks and public lands at no cost.

6) National Security Commision on AI DoD Reporting Requirement Amendment – an NSCAI recommendation, led by For Country Caucus Members Representatives Chrissy Houlahan and Don Bacon, requiring the Secretary of Defense to submit yearly reports on how NSCAI recommendations are being implemented to the Congressional defense committees.

7) Afghan Refugees of Special Humanitarian Concern Amendment – a provision which includes elements of For Country Caucus Members Representative Jason Crow and Peter Meijers’ Showing American Values by Evacuating (SAVE) Afghan Partners Act, it expands the Special Immigrant Visa program by making clear that those employed under cooperative agreements and grants are eligible for the Afghan SIV program.

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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, Gen. 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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