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

Bipartisan Veterans Applaud Major Wins in Defense Authorization Bill

December 18, 2023

Washington, D.C. – For Country Caucus Co-Chairs Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Jason Crow (CO-06), and Vice Chairs Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement applauding the successful passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024: 

“As military veterans, we have a unique understanding of just how critical the specifics of the NDAA are to U.S. national security. The men and women who risk their lives for our country need the tools and resources to ensure they are the most lethal fighting force in the world. This year’s NDAA will provide these tools and resources so American servicemembers can deter our adversaries and protect our civilians here at home,” said For Country Caucus Leadership. “We’re proud to see the inclusion of dozens of provisions led by For Country Caucus members that bolster our national security and support our military and their families. We will continue to fight for our military as they fight for us.”

Below are highlights of For Country Caucus-led provisions in the FY24 NDAA that will support servicemember and their families and ensure the United States can compete, and if necessary, fight and win, in a conflict against a great power adversary:

Improving the Lives of Servicemembers and Their Families

For Country Caucus members helped secure several notable provisions in the FY24 NDAA to support servicemembers and their families. This includes a provision, led by Rep. Gonzales, to increase the Family Separation Allowance (FSA) from $250 to $400 a month, marking the first time the FSA has increased in two decades. The FSA provides additional compensation to families who cannot live with or near servicemembers at their permanent duty station. The bill also includes a provision, led by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), to allow federal agencies to appoint military spouses to remote work positions, thereby increasing their ability to remain gainfully employed over multiple moves. The Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act, led by Reps. Jeff Jackson (NC-14) and Zach Nunn (IA-03), also passed in the final NDAA. This provision will expand parental leave eligibility for Reserve and National Guard members to include fathers and adoptive parents.

Modernizing the Department of Defense and Securing America’s Competitive Edge

The For Country Caucus remains committed to modernizing the Department of Defense (DOD) and helped pass several provisions to strengthen the United States' competitive edge and deter Chinese Communist Party aggression. The FY24 NDAA includes the Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act, led by Reps. Mike Gallagher (WI-08) and Houlahan, to require the DOD to work with the Ministry of Defense of Taiwan to improve cybersecurity cooperation. The bill also includes a provision, led by Reps. Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Gallagher to establish a Cybersecurity Risk Inventory, Assessment, and Mitigation Working Group at the National Nuclear Security Administration. Led by Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), the NDAA also authorizes the creation of an Intellectual Property Strategy to develop a pilot program that will address how DOD can acquire IP to accelerate the acquisition of innovative technologies.

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Co-Chaired by Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), the bipartisan For Country Caucus provides principled military veteran members the opportunity to work together across party lines to pass impactful legislation in national security, veterans affairs, and military quality of life. Since its founding in 2019, the caucus has advocated for a less polarized Congress that works for — and is trusted by — Americans.  

Permalink: https://gonzales.house.gov/2023/12/bipartisan-veterans-applaud-major-wins-in-defense-authorization-bill