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 Servicemembers 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.

 

Endorsements:

Veterans and Families:
H.R. 41 - VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023
Led by: Rep. Baird (R-IN)
 
H.R. 234 - Gerald's Law Act
Led by: Rep. Bergman (R-MI)
 
H.R. 733 - Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act
Led by: Rep. Sherrill (D-NJ)
 
H.R.1097 - Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023
Led by: Rep. Panetta (D-CA)
 
H.R.1282 - Major Richard Star Act
Led by: Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL) *Not a member of the For Country Caucus
 
H.R. 1432 - VSO Equal Tax Treatment (VETT) Act
Led by: Rep. Wenstrup (R-OH)
 
H.R. 2454 - United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act
Led by: Rep. Waltz (R-FL)
 
H.R. 2768 - PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act
Led by: Rep. LaLota (R-NY)
 
H.R. 3085 - Coast Guard Combat Injured Tax Fairness Act
Led by: Rep. Davis (D-NC)
 
H.R. 3816 - Veterans Entry to Apprenticeship Act
Led by: Rep. James (R-MI)
 
H.R. 4518 - Veteran Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform
(CARE) Act of 2023
Led by: Rep. Davis (D-NC)
 
H.R. 4886 - ACES Act
Led by: Rep. Pfluger (R-TX)
 
H.R. 5738 - Abbey Gate Gold Star Families Dignified Transport Act
Led by: Rep. Waltz (R-FL)
 
H.R. 6330 - Veterans' Sentinel Act
Led by: Rep. Crow (D-CO)
 
H.R. 6355 - Never Forgotten Korean War POW Act
Led by: Rep. Ryan (D-NY)
 
H.R.6373 – Veterans “Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act (STAND) Act
Led by: Rep. Bergman (R-MI)
 
H.R. 9525 - Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act (SAVES) Act
Led by: Rep. Luttrell (R-TX)
 
 
Servicemembers and Families:
 
H.R. 854 - Captain James C. Edge Gold Star Spouse Equity Act
Led by: Rep. Waltz (R-FL)
 
H.R. 1045 - Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2023
Led by: Rep. Ryan (D-NY)
 
H.R. 3517 - Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights Act of 2023
Led by: Rep. Mast (R-FL)
 
H.R. 7087 - Maintaining our Obligation to Moms who Serve (MOMs) Act
Led by: Rep. Houlahan (D-PA)
 
H.R.8025 - Blast Overpressure Safety Act
Led by: Re. Khanna (D-CA) *Not a member of the For Country Caucus
National Security:
 
 
H.R.3392 - Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2023
Led by: Rep. Bacon (R-NE)
 
H.R. 3774 - Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act
Led by: Rep. Lawler (R-NY) *Not a member of the For Country Caucus
 
H.R. 3855- National Digital Reserve Corps Act
Led by: Rep. Gonzales (R-TX)
 
H.R. 6106 - Bolstering America’s Defenses Against Potentially Perilous Software (BAD APPS) Act
Led by: Rep. Sherrill (D-NJ)
 
H.R. 6425 - Five AI's Act
Led by: Rep. Gallagher (R-WI) *Retired
 
H.R.6524 - Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act
Led by: Rep. Houlahan (D-PA)
 
H.R.6727 - United States Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2023
Led by: Rep. McCaul (R-TX) *Not a member of the For Country Caucus
 
H.R. 7521 - Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act
Led by: Rep. Gallagher (R-WI) *Retired

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

Previous Leadership:

116th Congress:
Co-Chairs: Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Vice Chairs: Congressmen Mike Waltz (R-FL) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
117th Congress:
Co-Chairs: Congressmen Jared Golden (D-ME) and Van Taylor (R-TX)*
Vice Chairs: Congressmen Jim Baird (R-IN) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA)
*Departed Congress in 2022. 

In The News

The For Country Caucus Endorses the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act

November 7, 2024

Washington, D.C. – The For Country Caucus, a bipartisan group of military veterans, today announced its endorsement H.R. 9525 – the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act. This legislation, introduced by For Country Caucus member Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofits providing service dogs to eligible veterans. It would extend service dog eligibility and availability to veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, military sexual trauma, deafness, blindness, paralysis and other service related disabilities. 

“During their time in service, veterans put their safety on the line for this nation. We must ensure they have the assistance they need to face the mental health challenges they may experience once returning home,” said For Country Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressmen Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Jason Crow (CO-06). “Service dogs can provide comfort, stability, and assistance, and this bill will help connect more veterans with service dogs as they transition back into civilian life.”  

“I’m proud to see my colleagues on the For Country Caucus fully support the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act. This legislation will provide another tool in the toolbox for wounded vets when they return home by providing the resources to raise, train, and place service dogs with more veterans,” said Congressman Luttrell. “As veterans fight to survive the invisible wounds of war, it will continue to be my priority to do everything possible to ensure veterans have access to every mental health resource out there.” 

“Service dogs have a proven, evidence-based track record of providing life-saving assistance to Veterans with visible and invisible wounds of war,” said Bill McCabe, Vice President of Government & External Affairs at K9s For Warriors. “The SAVES Act will ultimately put more service dogs in the hands of Veterans in critical need, allowing them to regain their independence and reintegrate into civilian life. We applaud this bipartisan, bicameral effort and urge Congress to pass this important legislation without delay.” 

This legislation currently has 18 bipartisan cosponsors including For Country Caucus Vice Chair Congresswoman Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and caucus members Congressmen Waltz (FL-06) and Davis (NC-01).  

It is endorsed by America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Chief Warrant & Warrant Officers Association of the U.S. Coast Guard, Dog Tag Buddies, HunterSeven Foundation, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Jewish War Veterans of America (JVW), Kayas K9s, K9s For Warriors, National Military Families Association (NMFA), Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Pet Advocacy Network, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, The American Legion (TAL), The Independence Fund (TIF), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), The Enlisted Association (TREA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). 

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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/2024/11/the-for-country-caucus-endorses-the-service-dogs-assisting-veterans-saves-act

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