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
See All Members

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In The News

Bipartisan Veterans Call for Long-Term Security Assistance MOU with Ukraine

September 19, 2022

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of military veterans today called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to formalize a security assistance memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ukraine.

“The war in Ukraine is now entering its seventh month and could soon turn into a war of attrition, which may move the conflict in Russia’s favor despite impressive resistance from the Ukrainian armed forces and the successful use of U.S. and NATO defense equipment,” the lawmakers wrote. “Up to now, military assistance from NATO member countries has given Ukraine the tools necessary to resist Russian aggression. We must keep this momentum in Ukraine’s favor. That is why an MOU between the United States and Ukraine could prove critical in this current phase of the conflict – President Vladimir Putin must understand the full extent of U.S. support for Ukraine. A long-term security commitment would make clear that we are ready and willing to provide Ukraine with the capacity it needs to defend itself, impede Russian advances in this war, and deter the threat of a potential Russian invasion in the coming years.”

Memoranda of Understanding are non-binding political agreements subject to congressional appropriations. An MOU–modeled after the 2016 U.S.-Israel security agreement–would provide Ukraine with stable and predictable funding to successfully protect its sovereignty now and into the future.

The letter was signed by Representatives Jared Golden (D-Maine), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-Iowa), Conor Lamb (D-Penn.), Peter Meijer, (R-Mich.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.).

The cosigners are 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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The Honorable Antony Blinken

United States Secretary of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

 

Dear Secretary Blinken,

We, as a bipartisan group of military veterans, write in support of a security assistance memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ukraine. We urge you to work expeditiously with the Ukrainian government to draft and finalize any such agreement to signal to Ukraine, our allies and partners, and Russia that the United States supports the long-term interests of Ukraine and its people. While the coming weeks and months will be critical to Ukraine’s success, so too will its ability to defend its sovereignty into the future. Therefore, we believe an MOU will demonstrate the United States’ steadfast commitment to Ukraine, advance U.S. national security priorities, and bolster the security and morale of the Ukrainian people.

The war in Ukraine is now entering its seventh month and could soon turn into a war of attrition, which may move the conflict in Russia’s favor despite impressive resistance from the Ukrainian armed forces and the successful use of U.S. and NATO defense equipment. Up to now, military assistance from NATO member countries has given Ukraine the tools necessary to resist Russian aggression. We must keep this momentum in Ukraine’s favor. That is why an MOU between the United States and Ukraine could prove critical in this current phase of the conflict – President Vladimir Putin must understand the full extent of U.S. support for Ukraine. A long-term security commitment would make clear that we are ready and willing to provide Ukraine with the capacity it needs to defend itself, impede Russian advances in this war, and deter the threat of a potential Russian invasion in the coming years. 

Although the State Department—in concert with the White House and Department of Defense—should have the latitude to negotiate the scope of the MOU, we encourage you to secure long-term defense commitments with Ukraine that include agreements on surface-to-air missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, anti-ship missiles, M777 howitzers, and training on, and transfer of, appropriate fighter aircraft. We have seen many of these weapons systems pay dividends in the war thus far—they have crippled Russia’s efforts to gain air superiority, halted Russian offensives, and allowed Ukrainians to strike vital logistics lines. Continuing to build and expand on these clear successes should be a top priority.

It is for these reasons that an MOU with Ukraine is vital. If the people of Ukraine are to be freed from the shadow of Russian oppression, they must have long-term security guarantees. And if the United States is to uphold its promises to our allies and the world that we will stand up to tyranny and defend liberty, then we must continue to back up those words with deeds. 

We appreciate the State Department’s dedicated work in support of Ukraine since this unprovoked war began. As we have seen from the global repercussions of this conflict, Ukraine is critical to U.S. and European security. We ask that you consider this effort to ensure that the United States maintains its status as a beacon of hope for the oppressed peoples of the world. We look forward to your response.

 

Sincerely,

Permalink: https://gonzales.house.gov/2022/9/bipartisan-veterans-call-for-long-term-security-assistance-mou-with-ukraine