For Country Caucus
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.
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.
Leadership
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ChairJake EllzeyTX-06 | NAVY
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ChairDon DavisNC-01 | AIR FORCE
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Vice ChairNick LaLotaNY-01 | NAVY
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Vice ChairChris DeluzioPA-17 | NAVY
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Vice ChairTroy DowningMT-02 | AIR FORCE
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Vice ChairHerb ConawayNJ-03 | AIR FORCE
Republican
Democrats
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 Don Bacon (R-NE) (Mr. Bacon replaced Van Taylor (R-TX))*Vice Chairs: Congressmen Jim Baird (R-IN) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) |
118th Congress:Co-Chairs: Congressmen Jason Crow (D-CO) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX)Vice Chairs: Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) |
*Departed Congress in 2022.
Washington, D.C. – The For Country Caucus endorsed 23 additional proposals for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), focused on improving military readiness, advancing defense technologies, and reinforcing the infrastructure critical to our national security. These efforts underscore the Caucus’ continued dedication to keeping the U.S. military the strongest and most advanced force in the world.
The endorsed requests include a variety of initiatives that enhance military readiness, improve service member welfare, and modernize defense technologies. The following are the endorsed requests and their respective sponsors:
- DDG-51 Advance Procurement (Rep. Jared Golden, ME-02) – Requests $900 million in FY26 to support procurement of a third DDG-51 destroyer in FY27, preserving industrial workforce capacity and sustaining the FY23 multi-year contract bridging to the next generation DDG(X).
- Large Surface Combatant Shipyard Infrastructure (Rep. Jared Golden, ME-02) – Requests $450 million in FY26 for modernization of the Land Level Transfer Facility, Pier 1, and drydock to support continued production of the DDG-51 and future DDG(X) destroyers.
- DDG(X) RDT&E (Rep. Jared Golden, ME-02) – Supports full funding of Navy research and development for DDG(X) design and advanced surface systems to maintain the program's timeline and reduce future design and cost risks.
- U.S.-Israel Emerging Technologies Cooperation (Rep. Jared Golden, ME-02) – Authorizes $50 million annually through FY30 for a joint U.S.-Israel defense technology R&D initiative focused on AI, quantum computing, robotics, cybersecurity, and automation.
- U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperation (Rep. Jared Golden, ME-02) – Extends U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel defense collaboration through FY28 and increases authorized funding from $50 million to $80 million annually.
- ACES Act (Rep. August Pfluger, TX-11) – Directs the VA to study cancer prevalence among military aircrew in partnership with the National Academies to improve care and benefits for affected veterans.
- Restoring Air Dominance Report (Rep. August Pfluger, TX-11) – Requires the Air Force to report on declining fighter readiness rates and identify contributing factors impacting operational availability.
- Fostering Reform and Government Efficiency in Defense Act – Portfolio Acquisition Executive Transition (Supported by With Honor Action) – Transitions program executive officers to portfolio acquisition executives to increase efficiency and coordination across defense programs.
- Fostering Reform and Government Efficiency in Defense Act – Commercial Item Determination (Supported by With Honor Action) – Establishes a default assumption in favor of commercial procurement to streamline defense acquisitions and cut costs.
- Shipbuilding Infrastructure – Defense Production Act Utilization (Supported by With Honor Action) – Requires a Presidential plan to use DPA authorities to bolster the domestic maritime shipbuilding industrial base.
- Shipbuilding Infrastructure – Maritime Innovation Incubators (Supported by With Honor Action) – Expands the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation with regionally based incubators focused on clean energy, ship design, and next-generation maritime technologies.
- Military to Maritime Transition Report (Supported by With Honor Action) – Requires a joint agency report identifying ways to transition veterans with maritime-relevant skills into civilian shipbuilding and port infrastructure careers.
- Selective Service Automatic Registration (Supported by With Honor Action) – Establishes automatic registration with the Selective Service System for all men ages 18–25.
- JROTC Program Funding (Supported by With Honor Action) – Authorizes full funding for the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program in alignment with the FY26 President’s Budget.
- Naval Sea Cadet Corps Funding Increase (Supported by With Honor Action) – Requests a $4.3 million increase for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps program beyond the $2.5 million expected in the FY26 President’s Budget.
- Naval Sea Cadet Corps National Guard Eligibility (Supported by With Honor Action) – Adds the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets to the list of youth groups eligible for National Guard support under 32 U.S.C. § 508.
- Civil Air Patrol Program Funding (Supported by With Honor Action) – Authorizes funding for the Civil Air Patrol program consistent with the President’s FY26 Budget Request.
- Afghan Allies Records Preservation (Supported by With Honor Action) – Directs the Department of Defense to establish a process to preserve service records of Afghan nationals who supported U.S. operations.
- Freedom First Lend-Lease Act (Rep. Jimmy Panetta, CA-19; Supported by With Honor Action) – Authorizes U.S. military support to Ukraine and allies through a lend-lease program while preserving U.S. stockpiles during FY26 and FY27.
- Basic Needs Allowance BAH Exclusion (Rep. Jimmy Panetta, CA-19; Supported by With Honor Action) – Excludes Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from gross income when calculating eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance.
- Accessibility at U.S. Service Academies (Supported by With Honor Action) – Improves physical accessibility at all U.S. service academies for cadets and visitors with disabilities.
- Virtual Reality Suicide Prevention Training (Supported by With Honor Action) – Requests $30 million in new funding to expand innovative VR-based suicide prevention training and data collection across the Armed Forces.
- Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Authorities (Supported by With Honor Action) – Authorizes rapid fielding and increased funding for counter-drone systems to defend U.S. military installations against growing UAS threats.
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