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

For Country Caucus Chairs Lead Letter to the President Calling for Ukrainian Assistance

June 8, 2023

Washington, D.C. – Today, For Country Caucus Co-Chairs Congressmen Jason Crow (CO-06) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) led a bipartisan letter to President Biden urging the Administration to provide additional military assistance to Ukraine. Specifically, the letter calls for policies and plans to accelerate the training and transfer of fourth-generation fighter aircraft, the transfer of ATACMS, the expedited transfer of Abrams tanks, and the provision of additional air defense capabilities. 

          “The war in Ukraine has become a conflict of grinding attrition. We can and must help break this stalemate. By swiftly providing the Ukrainian forces with these additional capabilities, we can significantly improve their chances of victory, restore peace to Europe, and ensure a more stable and prosperous world,” the Representatives wrote in the letter. “It is in the interest of the U.S. and our allies across the world to see the Ukrainian people and democracy prevail.” 

For Country Caucus members have consistently led efforts to support Ukraine since Russia’s unprovoked invasion in February 2022. They have repeatedly called for comprehensive aid packages for Ukraine, urging the Administration to help bolster Ukraine’s air defense and artillery capabilities, transfer modern aircraft, and provide other necessary defense materiel to the nation. These efforts include a bipartisan letter to the president sent last month and led by members of the For Country Caucus urging the administration to provide Ukraine with F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft. 

Joining Reps Crow, Gonzales, Sherrill, and Miller-Meeks in signing the letter were For Country Caucus members Reps Golden, Houlahan, Davis, Panetta, and Baird.

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

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President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The White House
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 

Dear Mr. President,  

We write to demonstrate overwhelming bipartisan support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia and urge new action by the United States to provide or accelerate the provision of new capabilities for the Ukrainian military. With the war now entering its 16th month, we must show a united front across both Congress and the Administration to ensure Ukraine has the tools to expel Russia from its sovereign territory in the coming counteroffensive. Helping Ukraine fight and win is a U.S. national security imperative and signals to the world that the U.S. will stand by our fellow democracies. We believe there are four categories of military assistance that will be decisive in the months ahead and the U.S. should provide without delay: 

  1. Transfer of Fourth-Generation Fighter Aircraft: We applaud the Administration’s recent decision to assist in the training of Ukrainian pilots in advanced fighters. For Ukraine to fight and win on the ground, it must be able to contest the skies. To supplement Ukraine’s dwindling fleet of Soviet-era fighter jets, the U.S. must seek to further strengthen Ukrainian air power by rapidly transferring or facilitating the transfer of fourth- generation fighter aircraft. Fighter aircraft could be transferred from existing inventory, or from willing allies with your approval. Modern aircraft would provide the Ukrainian forces with asymmetric advantages over Russian ground forces, expand their capabilities along the line of contact, strengthen their ability to target Russia’s long-range fires, and improve their ability to protect civilians. In addition, we encourage the Administration to rapidly assist Ukraine in training aircraft maintenance personnel; work with contractors to establish the necessary maintenance and logistics infrastructure; and develop a plan for providing a flow of advanced munitions for these aircraft. 
  2. Transfer of ATACMS: Ukrainian defenders are far more effective on the ground when they are able to target deep supply lines and Russian command and control centers. Ukraine has used HIMARS systems to devastating effect, but Russian forces have adapted to ensure key assets are outside their range. Russia will continue to move high payoff targets outside of the scope and reach of Ukrainian systems until we can extend those ranges. Therefore, we urge you to transfer ATACMS to Ukraine from existing U.S. stocks or approve transfers from our allies. These surface-to-surface missiles provide a long-range capability that will significantly improve Ukraine’s ability to target Russian troops and equipment in Ukrainian sovereign territory. We’re encouraged that the United Kingdom has delivered its Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine with reported assurances from Ukrainian officials that they would only be used to attack Russian positions in Ukrainian territory. We believe similar assurances for these systems would alleviate potential concerns regarding escalation. We also understand the administration’s stated desire to maintain U.S. stockpiles for future fights, but Ukraine is currently on the front lines in a fight for freedom in a war with immediate and long-term U.S. national security implications. The fight for global peace and security is playing out in Ukraine and we believe this merits a drawdown from our existing stocks of this important capability. 
  3. Expedited Abrams Tank Transfer: To win this war Ukraine must recapture and hold territory, and they will need more advanced armor to do it. We were encouraged by your decision to provide 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. However, we are concerned both by the number of tanks provided and that the tanks will not reach the battlefield until early fall. Throughout our history, when the U.S. has placed its full industrial might behind a cause it has succeeded. For example, during World War II, the U.S. built entire Liberty ships in less than four days. In the 80 years since then the U.S. has developed the most advanced industrial base and military in the world and must have the ability to refurbish, refit, and deliver a limited number of tanks faster than the current timeline. We strongly urge you to do everything in your power to accelerate this timeline, whether that be through the Defense Production Act, expended contracts, or pulling from different stocks to provide Ukrainian troops the tactical equipment needed to mount their counter- offensive. 
  4. Additional Air Defense Capabilities: In order to defend its people, critical infrastructure, and vital military assets, Ukraine urgently needs additional air defense systems and munitions. Putin continues to aggressively target civilian critical infrastructure and population centers, which has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and disruptions to utilities that threaten their war effort. We welcomed your decision to provide our Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. However, one Patriot battery is not enough. The Ukrainians have demonstrated their ability to successfully leverage these systems and even intercepted hypersonic missiles aimed at destroying the battery. We urge you to prioritize transferring additional Patriot systems and munitions as we continue to look at short, medium, and long-term air defense requirements in this conflict. 

The war in Ukraine has become a conflict of grinding attrition. We can and must help break this stalemate. By swiftly providing the Ukrainian forces with these additional capabilities, we can significantly improve their chances of victory, restore peace to Europe, and ensure a more stable and prosperous world. It is in the interest of the U.S. and our allies across the world to see the Ukrainian people and democracy prevail. Thank you for your consideration and continued leadership. We look forward to working with your administration on these critical matters. 

Sincerely, 

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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 thoughtful legislation in national security, veterans affairs, and national service. 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/2023/6/for-country-caucus-chairs-lead-letter-to-the-president-calling-for-ukrainian-assistance