Veterans and Military Families Caucus

The Veterans and Military Families Caucus is made up of DA members from around the world who are willing and able to advocate on issues important to the veterans and their families within the United States of America and those living abroad. The Caucus will accept any DA member.

Democrats Abroad (DA) honors the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces; their service deserves our deepest gratitude and respect. Government policies must reflect the interests of those who are serving and those who have served, including their families. This caucus will work within DA to achieve this endeavor.

We share and adhere to the principles and demands expressed in the platforms of both the Democratic Party and DA regarding veterans, active military and their families abroad.

We recognize and appreciate that all of the various groups, ethnicities, persuasions, identities, and beliefs that make up American society are present in our military; we share issues and concerns in common with the other DA caucuses. Discrimination has no place in the military and its ancillary organizations, nor the Veterans and Military Families Caucus.

GOALS

∙ Reach out to veterans, active duty and reserve military members as well as their dependents living abroad to encourage them to register to vote and to engage them in advocacy for our policy positions;

∙ Provide a forum for DA members to understand better the issues and concerns affecting our military forces, veterans, and their families outside of the United States;

ACTIONS

∙ Provide support for visits to wounded/recovering warriors and caregivers at overseas U.S. military hospitals in conjunction with like-minded external organizations;

∙ Exchange information and concerns with other DA caucuses and interest groups regarding relevant issues and shared concerns to ensure that as they impact veterans and military families, they are communicated among the broader DA community for a successful joint response;

∙ Organize participation in Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies at U.S. landmarks abroad such as military cemeteries, battle sites, and places of historical U.S. military significance;

∙ Facilitate get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts for veterans and military families; also develop sensible and sensitive strategies for encouraging active service members at U.S. overseas military bases to vote;

∙ Establish and maintain contact with other American political organizations to find areas of joint concern regarding U.S. veterans and military dependents;

∙ Always strive to improve the DA Platform and organize advocacy efforts towards U.S. law and policymakers for issues pertinent to veterans, active military, and their families living abroad;

RESPONSIBILITIES

ORGANIZATION

Email: VeteransCaucus@democratsabroad.org

DA Veterans and Military Families Caucus Leadership:

| VMF Caucus Acting Chair, DA Voting Rep for DA France

| Acting Chair Spain-Valencia Chapter and VMF Caucus Steering Committee

| VMF Steering Committee

| DA Hispanic Caucus; DA Affirmative Action Committee; DA Veterans and Military Families Caucus; DA Australia (Victoria); DNC Labor Council

See all Leaders

News

Doug Jones - supporting Veterans issues AND Democrats Abroad

posted by | Treasurer - Mexico; Vice Chair & Treasurer - Guadalajara; DPCA Voting Rep; Global IT Team Member; HC Steering Committee; VMF Steering Committee
December 23, 2019

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the historic and important win in Alabama for Senator Doug Jones. 🙌

"Over the last two years, in the Senate and on the campaign trail, Doug has not forgotten his promise to work on behalf of everyone in Alabama. He’s stayed focused on the kitchen table issues like the economy, education, healthcare, veterans’ issues and support for the military. And recently Doug has secured some major victories for Alabama.

"Doug’s bipartisan bill to repeal the military widow’s tax was included in the National Defense Authorization Act and is expected to be signed into law. This is a huge victory for our military families, whose spouses earned their survivor benefits with their service and their lives." Doug Jones for Senate on Medium Here are some of his remarks.

To celebrate, Senator Jones came to Paris to support Democrats Abroad! As he explained, the race to hold his seat is going to be tough. Every vote will count!

Senator Jones knows the importance of the overseas vote. In tight races, Democrats Abroad is the margin of victory!

The turnout was impressive for this fundraiser. We were joined by Democrats Abroad International Chair Julia Bryan, Democrats Abroad France Chair Ada Shen and DNC representative Constance Borde.

Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Issues of Interest to Veterans

posted by | VMF Steering Committee
December 21, 2019

Democratic Presidential Candidates’
Positions on Issues of Interest to Veterans

Click on the Candidate's Name to scroll down to their summary
If it doesn't work, please click on the Headline of this Article to open it.
(Suspended or Abandoned Candidacies at End of List)

Michael Bennet

Joe Biden Jr.

Michael Bloomberg

Cory Booker

Pete Buttigieg

Julian Castro

John Delaney

Tulsi Gabbard

Amy Klobuchar

Bernie Sanders

Deval Patrick

Tom Steyer

Elizabeth Warren

Marianne Williamson

Andrew Yang

Democrat Presidential Candidates: Those who have ended their Campaigns

To download this summary, please click HERE.

MICHAEL BENNET

U.S. Senator from Colorado since 2009
Announced:     May 2, 2019
Home State:     Colorado | Website
Latest Book:    The Land of Flickering Lights: Restoring America in an Age of Broken Politics

SUPPORTS

veteran employment
Veterans Entrepreneurship Act to waive Express loan program fees making Small Business Administration (SBA) loans less expensive
medical cannabis for veterans
exempting Veterans Affairs from federal hiring freeze
suspension of deportation of family of immigrant service members while serving overseas

ACTIONS

co-sponsor-Veterans Entrepreneurship Act
co-sponsor-DREAM Act calling for legal status for immigrant veterans
opposed military transgender ban
opposes banning homosexuals in the military

JOE BIDEN JR.

Former U.S. Senator and Former Vice President of the United States
Announced:     April 25, 2019
Home State:     Delaware | Website
Latest Book:    Promise Me, Dad:        A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose
WORTH NOTING:   While there is considerable - actually more than any other candidate - evidence of Biden’s commitment to veteran issues in the past, it is, surprisingly, very difficult to find anything at all on his stand on current veteran issues.

SUPPORTS

main-pillar-needs of service members, veterans, and families
very strong support for veterans

ACTIONS

numerous bills sponsored such as for spousal employment, children, health, and mental health
supported Walk of America ‒ Walking with the Wounded along with his Wife, a co-sponsor in 2018
supporting military families through the Biden Foundation

MICHAEL BLOOMBERG

Former New York Mayor from 2002-2013
Announced: November 25, 2019
Home State: New York | Website
https://www.mikebloomberg.com/getting-stuff-done#veterans

ACTIONS

created Workforce1, a service to connect job candidates to opportunities throughout New York City, and provided priority job placement and career assistance services to veterans and their spouses
partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create Operation Home, a task force to combat veteran homelessness in New York City
created the first job center just for veterans, staffed by veterans, and an entrepreneurship program to help veterans start and grow businesses
launched Support Our Troops, a city-run service program to support veterans and troops actively serving our country
through Bloomberg LP, provided training programs that allow veterans to transition more easily from military careers to the private sector, and encouraged employees actively to recommend veterans for open positions in order to bring veterans into the company and put their leadership skills to work

See all posts