On behalf of the Democrats Abroad (DA) Global Veterans and Military Families (VMF) Caucus, we are pleased to share a visual presentation and report on our Caucus activity over the past year.
The Global VMF Caucus was officially recognized in 2019, although we started the in-formation process beginning in 2016. Like other DA global caucuses, we advocate on behalf of our namesake: the military-connected community, especially those living abroad. But unlike the other caucuses, VMF performs additional functions similar to those of veteran service organizations, such as participating in remembrance ceremonies, providing guidance to individuals seeking the right resources when filing VA claims, sending holiday and greeting cards to veterans, and more.
2025 has been a rollercoaster of a year with the Trump Administration operating unchecked and do-nothing congressional Republicans turning a blind eye, while Democratic candidates performed exceptionally well in the November elections. And throughout, VMF has been on point with its all-of-the-above take-action strategies.
Since January, VMF has:
- Expanded the VMF steering committee (our caucus leadership team), leading to the only DA global caucus that is gender-balanced.
- Held monthly meetings online to ensure VMF stays on track and leaders are held accountable.
- Attended monthly meetings with other VMF leaders in the DNC’s VMF Council.
- Formally adopted a Get-Out-The-Vote Plan for VMF in 2026.
- Expanded our group members and informal discussions on the Signal app.
- Participated in several webinars to educate our members and to discuss important issues.
- E-mailed all VMF members monthly e-newsletters.
- Collaborated with other DA global caucuses on various projects.
- Created podcast episodes for our members to learn more about VMF issues.
- Authored and passed DA resolutions on issues important to the VMF community.
- Posted several VMF member opinion pieces and other articles on the DA website.
- Endorsed Democratic federal, state, and local candidates who identify as being veterans, military family members, or strong allies of VMF issues.
- Shared legislative advocacy graphics on the bills VMF supports and opposes.
- Committed to a steady and active social media presence.
- Distributed a survey to all VMF members to better understand our current membership, their military affiliation, and what issues they most care about.
- Met with dozens of Congressional offices to advocate on bills and issues before the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
- Witnessed an expansion of country-level VMF caucuses from Germany and France to now include Spain and Italy.
- Expanded our “VMF Virtual Museum Project” to highlight the diversity of DA members and their military service or other military connections.
- Created a “VMF Virtual Art Gallery” to showcase DA members’ original creations of various forms of artwork.
VMF looks forward to implementing the 2026 GOTV Plan, increasing our membership and volunteers, and ultimately getting Democrats elected to office to halt the chaos of the Trump White House and other MAGA-extremist office holders.
U.S. citizens living abroad, both civilian and military, are highly encouraged to check your voter registration status and request your ballot for any upcoming elections in your home voting state that you are eligible to vote in.
The VMF Caucus has over 1,400 members in dozens of countries, proudly consisting of veterans, military family members, Department of Defense civilians, other national security professionals, and strong allies of veterans and military family causes.
For questions pertaining to this statement, please reach out to
[email protected].