Democrats Abroad Germany Veterans and Military Families Caucus   Greetings! An incredible amount of work came to fruition in August through the perseverance of our Democratic Senators and Representatives. President Biden delivered on his promise to Veterans with the passage of the PACT Act. Other accomplishments include student loan forgiveness, a new executive order on abortion rights, gun safety, CHIPS and Science Act, topped off with the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed without a single Republican Senator's vote! We should all ask those Senators why they did not support these benefits for all citizens. Senators and Representatives are elected to represent the will of their constituents. It is time to hold them accountable! There is so much more to accomplish to keep our country on the right track and continue to deliver what our citizens need. Everyone's help to get out the vote is needed! As Election Day approaches, there are still ways you can help! Please check with all your friends and colleagues to see if they have requested their absentee ballots and if they haven’t, help them do this. It is amazing how many DA members do not request absentee ballots. We need to increase our voter participation level. We cannot lose the House or the Senate.  “There’s no such thing as a vote that doesn’t matter. It all matters.” – Barack Obama The ballots should arrive 45 days before the November 8th General Election, around the middle of September. Hopefully you requested your ballot be sent by email. When your ballot arrives, fill it out and return it immediately! If you do not receive it by mid September, then fill out a FWAB (Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot)! See FAQs from Vote From Abroad (below) for directions. Phonebanking volunteers are urgently needed! You can do this from the comfort of your own home at the time you want! Live phonebanking trainings are scheduled at the following times: September 2, 12:00pm US Eastern September 8, 1:00pm US Eastern September 22, 2:00pm US Eastern If you can't make it to an online training, you can watch a recorded training. GLOBAL VMF CAUCUS MEETING Next VMF Caucus meeting: September 10, 2022, 07:00 EDT Webex Login Password: dems Meeting Number: 23171825082 General Election November 8, 2022 The Uniformed And Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act In the 2020 election, it was estimated that 47% of active duty military and 8% of U.S. citizens abroad voted compared to 46% active duty military and 8% of U.S. citizens in 2016. Keeping control of the House of Representatives and getting a solid majority in the Senate are mandatory! We need 100% voter turnout! Request your absentee ballot today from VoteFromAbroad.org. Get certified for voter outreach! Take the FVAP online training. There is still time to help Get Out The Vote! Let us know if you would like to help military and veterans request their absentee ballots: [email protected] “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” – John Lewis   FAQs from Vote From Abroad:  BB-1. What is the Backup Ballot and how do I use it? BB-2. I haven't received my blank ballot yet. Should I use a Backup Ballot (the FWAB)? Do you need help with your absentee ballot or have a question? Contact [email protected]. "Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting." – Franklin D. Roosevelt Make the right choice! “In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate – look to his character . . . . When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor, he betrays the interest of his country.” – Noah Webster, 1823 September is National Suicide Prevention Month and National Service Dog Month Labor Day September 5, 2022 -- Look for the Union Label! Thank the labor unions, workers and labor leaders for ensuring a 40-hour work week, sick leave, and vacation time. Read about the history of Labor Day. Patriot Day National Day of Service and Remembrance to honor those killed on September 11, 2001.       September 17: Constitution Day, Register Together Day September 20: National Voter Registration Day Lots of valuable information on veterans benefits and events in the September VMF Global Caucus Newsletter including a reader survey that we hope you will submit. VA honors Women's Equality Day VA Disability Increase 2023 COLA 2023 | Cost of Living Adjustment 2023  Secretary of Veterans Affairs - GI Bill Message Are you interested in a PACT Act Info Session/Webinar? Let us know so we can schedule an event.  The Veterans Day Commemoration at the Luxembourg American Cemetery will soon be here. Let us know if you will join our group this year. Please contact: [email protected] Encourage all our VMF members to submit their absentee ballots! Have you requested your absentee ballot?  Stay healthy! Eat your crudités!   In Unity, Robert Scott and Terese Sarno DAG VMF Caucus Leaders DA Germany http://www.democratsabroad.org/