For Country Caucus

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Our Mission

The bipartisan For Country Caucus provides its principled military veteran members the opportunity to work together across party lines to pass thoughtful legislation in national security, veterans affairs, and national service. Members collaborate, find support for their ideas and legislation, and unite on the values they share as veterans. Since its founding in 2019, the caucus has advocated for a less polarized Congress that works for — and is trusted by — Americans. 

See Accomplishments

Improving the Lives of Service Members and Their Families:

Our active-duty military and their families have chosen to dedicate themselves to service. But the sacrifices they make should not come at the expense of their quality of life. That’s why we’ve prioritized legislation that addresses their needs.

We’ve led initiatives to improve DoD mental health services, strengthen military hunger prevention efforts, support military spouses and children, and expand support efforts for Gold Star Families.

Looking Out for Our Veterans:

As veterans ourselves, we understand the unique needs of the veteran community. Many of us served in Iraq and Afghanistan and recognize the toll our nation’s longest war has taken on U.S. servicemembers and its distinct impact on the country as a whole. As such, we successfully led an effort to establish the Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall. After continued work from caucus members, the design process is currently underway. Soon all Americans will have a place to properly honor and reflect on the sacrifices of so many.

Having served in times when mental health struggles were often taboo, we’ve also worked to improve awareness of services and access to timely, high-quality care. Our members worked to create the easy-to-remember, three-digit Veterans Crisis Line number, 988. Since this shift, the line has seen a dramatic uptick in calls to help veterans receive the emergency care they need.

Honoring Our Commitments to Wartime Allies:

The For Country Caucus understands that supporting U.S. allies—especially those who served alongside U.S. troops during the Global War on Terror—is both a moral imperative and a national security priority. That's why we secured several legislative provisions to support our Afghan allies in the lead-up to and aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal. We expedited the process for Afghan translators and interpreters to escape the Taliban and come to the U.S. and we led efforts to pass the Afghan War Commission Act. This legislation created a non-partisan, independent commission charged with conducting a comprehensive examination of the War in Afghanistan. The United States will use its final report to learn from our experience in Afghanistan and better prepare for potential conflicts in the future.

Modernizing the Department of Defense and Securing America's Technological Future

The For Country Caucus believes the U.S. must be prepared to address future challenges across the globe while investing in our competitive technologies. That's why we helped implement a number of the recommendations from the Cyber Solarium Commission (CSC) and the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI). These include the establishment of a Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy at the State Department, efforts to strengthen the cyber workforce and cyber education, and the strengthening of research and development efforts across the artificial intelligence, cyber, and biotechnology sectors.

We also recognize the importance of maintaining a competitive advantage against potential adversaries and ensuring America remains the most capable and responsive force in the world. We helped pass critical provisions of the Taiwan Partnership Act to require the DOD to improve cooperation between the National Guard and Taiwan. Our members also helped establish the Arctic Security Initiative to establish a five-year plan to fully resource the Arctic region and develop service-specific strategies in the Arctic.

 

Leadership

  • Co-Chair
    Tony Gonzales
    TX-23 | NAVY
  • Vice Chair
    Mariannette Miller-Meeks
    IA-01 | ARMY
  • Co-Chair
    Jason Crow
    CO-06 | ARMY
  • Vice Chair
    Mikie Sherrill
    NJ-11 | NAVY
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In The News

Golden Leads Bipartisan Veterans Calling for Timely Construction of Global War on Terrorism Memorial

October 17, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Golden (ME-02) led a bipartisan group of military veterans in calling for the thoughtful and timely construction of a Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial located on the National Mall. The letter comes ahead of the GWOT Memorial Foundation’s site selection review tomorrow, Tuesday, October 18th before the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC). The review is a crucial step in determining the specific location of the GWOT Memorial on the National Mall. The Memorial will honor the veterans and their families who served and sacrificed during America’s Global War on Terror.

“For many Americans, the wounds of war – literal and otherwise – are still fresh,” the bipartisan group of members wrote. “Many Gold Star families, veterans, and others who supported America’s post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts need a national place of healing, empowerment, and unity. All Americans deserve a place to honor those who have served our country in different capacities. The Memorial will also help educate a generation of Americans too young to remember the 9/11 attacks and subsequent valorous efforts to keep our country safe.

“Perhaps most importantly, the Memorial must be built while the generation of warfighters who gave so much in places like Afghanistan and Iraq are still alive. Our veterans and others should not be forced to repeat the experience of our World War II veterans, who waited nearly 59 years from the end of World War II to see the inauguration of a Memorial in 2004.”

As co-Chair of the For Country Caucus, Representative Golden helped lead the effort to secure the passage of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act in December 2021. The legislation was the final step needed to authorize the GWOT Memorial on the National Mall. The GWOT Memorial Foundation is now working to secure approval on specific location and design for a Memorial on the Reserve Area of the National Mall.

The National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) advises the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the General Services Administration on proposals to establish commemorative works in Washington, D.C. and the National Capital Region. The Commission examines memorial proposals for conformance to the Commemorative Works Act, receives public comment, and makes recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator and to Members of Congress.

Representative Golden led the letter with Representatives Jim Baird (IN-04), Jason Crow (CO-06), and Mike Gallagher (WI-08). Also signing the letter were Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Brian Mast (FL-18), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02), Mike Waltz (FL-06), Scott Franklin (FL-15), and Peter Meijer (MI-03).

The cosigners are all members of the For Country Caucus, a bipartisan group of military veterans who are committed to strengthening U.S. national security, supporting veterans, and building a more productive government.

Full text of the letter is below and can also be found HERE. 

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October 17, 2022

 

National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission

Interior Region 1 – National Capital Area

1100 Ohio Drive, S.W.

Washington, DC 20242

Dear Commission Members:  

We write in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation’s efforts to thoughtfully and expediently identify a site location on the National Mall for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial. As you know, last year Congress passed the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which specifically authorized a site in the Reserve area of the National Mall as the Memorial’s future home. As a bipartisan group of veterans, we were proud to lead this effort, which marked an historic step toward honoring all who have served and sacrificed in the Global War on Terrorism. 

We are glad that you will soon be meeting with GWOT Memorial Foundation representatives to discuss potential sites for the Memorial. We understand that site selection is a complicated process with many considerations at play, and therefore requires a collaborative, constructive dialogue to determine the best possible location. The foundation has been thorough and professional in their site analysis, and we appreciate you receiving them with a spirit of cooperation that reflects the honor and solemnity this project deserves.

In addition to the importance of the Memorial’s ultimate location, it is also imperative that it be built as quickly as is practical. For many Americans, the wounds of war – literal and otherwise – are still fresh. Many Gold Star families, veterans, and others who supported America’s post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts need a national place of healing, empowerment, and unity. All Americans deserve a place to honor those who have served our country in different capacities. The Memorial will also help educate a generation of Americans too young to remember the 9/11 attacks and subsequent valorous efforts to keep our country safe. 

Perhaps most importantly, the Memorial must be built while the generation of warfighters who gave so much in places like Afghanistan and Iraq are still alive. Our veterans and others should not be forced to repeat the experience of our World War II veterans, who waited nearly 59 years from the end of World War II to see the inauguration of a Memorial in 2004. 

Thank you for your very good work to commemorate a key chapter in American history, and to honor all who helped write it. We know we speak for the people of our districts in expressing our desire for the Memorial to come to life as soon as possible. 

Sincerely, 

 

Permalink: https://gonzales.house.gov/2022/10/golden-leads-bipartisan-veterans-calling-for-timely-construction-of-global-war-on-terrorism-memorial