Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Issues of Interest to Veterans

Posted by Michael Lee
December 21, 2019

Co-Chair, Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus

Democratic Presidential Candidates’
Positions on Issues of Interest to Veterans

Click on the Candidate's Name to scroll down to their summary
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(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

CORY BOOKER

Former Mayor of Newark, U.S. Senator from New Jersey since 2013
Announced:     February 1, 2019
Home State:     New Jersey | Website
Latest Book:    United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good

We call ourselves the home of the brave, but we are not doing nearly enough to support and honor our brave veterans. Veterans are disproportionately represented in our criminal justice system and are more likely to experience homelessness. Too often they lack access to the health care services they need and deserve.

As president, will

fight for veterans’ access to health care, education and good-paying jobs
direct the Small Business Administration to invest more in veteran-owned businesses and entrepreneurship.
ensure world class health care, including mental health services, that is accessible and easy to navigate.
pass the Veteran Education and Transfer Extension Act to fill in gaps in veterans’ higher education benefits.
ensure the Veterans Health Administration provides gender-inclusive and accessible services, including access to gynecologists and obstetricians, sexual counselors, therapists, and other medical personnel
end veteran homelessness through major new investment in evidence-based programs to find, keep safe, and move back into housing anyone in need
appoint a White House official solely focused on coordinating across federal agencies to cut the suicide rate among veterans

SUPPORTS

forming National Guard Cyber Protection Team
incentives to train and hire troops returning home
exempting Veterans Affairs from federal hiring freeze

Selected Issues from VoteMatch Responses (https://www.ontheissues.org)
Legislation

original cosponsor: Veterans’ Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 – passed 2014
introduced: Strengthening Technical Assistance, Resources, and Training to Unleash the Potential of Veterans Act (STARTUP-Vets) – 2015 (Referred to Committee)

PETE BUTTIGIEG

Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, since 2012
Announced:     April 14, 2019
Home State:     Indiana | Website
Latest Book:    Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future

SUPPORTS

increasing veteran engagement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and enhancing access to mental health and addiction treatment for veterans
speeding up claims processing
investing heavily in treating veteran mental health
increasing investments in suicide prevention for veterans
expanding the number of mental health and addiction treatment facilities
increasing access to Telehealth, including Teletherapy and Telepsychiatry, for veterans through the Connected Care pilot program
increasing access to and quality of care
supporting veterans as they reintegrate back into our communities

OPPOSES

privatization of the VA

COMMENTS

20 veterans and active service members die by suicide in the United States each day, and we know that 14 of those veterans were not receiving care from the VA.

JULIAN CASTRO

Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Announced:     January 12, 2019
Home State:     Texas | Website
Latest Book:    An Unlikely Journey:Waking Up from My American Dream

SUPPORTS

avoiding foreign entanglements
re-examining relationship with Saudi Arabia
direct military intervention in Syria only as last resort
Iran must accept long-term intrusive nuke inspection

COMMENTS

no mention regarding veterans on current web site

JOHN DELANEY

U.S. Representative from Maryland since 2013
Announced: August 10, 2017
Home State: Maryland | Website
Latest Book: The Right Answer: How We Can Unify Our Divided Nation

POSITIONS

On Foreign Policy

$500M and 3,000 troops to Africa to fight Ebola. (Aug 2014)

On Homeland Security

supports reducing defense spending (Sep 2012)

On War and Peace

withdraw military aid from Saudi forces fighting in Yemen (Feb 2019)

On Immigration

voted to legalize DREAMer immigrants via military service (Jun 2016)

KEY VOTES

voted for Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistle-blower Protection Act of 2017
voted against Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act
voted against VA Accountability First Act of 2017
voted for VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016
voted against Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017
voted against VA Accountability Act of 2015
voted against Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution. 2014
voted for Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013
voted against Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013

Selected Issues from VoteMatch Responses (https://www.ontheissues.org)
Supports

national service program: military or community service:National service program, plus community & veterans' service
reducing defense spending
bringing the troops home from post-9-11 wars
withdrawing military aid from Saudi forces fighting in Yemen
debating new Authorization for Use of Military Force
eliminating nuclear proliferation
voted for 25 out of 28 military spending bills

TULSI GABBARD

U.S. Representative from Hawaii since 2013
Announced: January 11, 2019
Home State: Hawaii | Website
Latest Book: Tulsi Gabbard: Why I Fight: A Soldier in Politics

POSITIONS

On Foreign Policy

S. should focus on fighting terrorism, not regime change (Jan 2017)
$500M and 3,000 troops to Africa to fight Ebola.(Jul 2014)

On Homeland Security

don't cut military budget; fund weapons systems and ABMs (Mar 2019)
end this new cold war and nuclear arms race (Mar 2019)
allow transgender Americans in the military (Jan 2019)
supports reducing defense spending (Sep 2012)

On Immigration

voted to legalize DREAMer immigrants via military service (Jun 2016)

On War and Peace

no regime change in Iran; no war in Yemen (Mar 2019)
no more wars for regime change, like Syria and Afghanistan (Mar 2019)
S. government lied to American people to launch Iraq War (Mar 2019)
end U.S. support for Saudi-led conflict in Yemen (Jan 2019)
use military to fight terrorists, not for regime change (May 2017)
opposes fighting in Afghanistan and Syria; end arms to Saudis (May 2017)
Iraq was a war we never should have gotten into (Nov 2016)
end our involvement in Afghanistan (Nov 2012)
opposes combat operations in Afghanistan (Sep 2012)
Selected Issues from VoteMatch Responses (https://www.ontheissues.org

SUPPORTS

reinstating nuclear deal
engaging in diplomacy and deescalating tensions
sexual assaults in the military must be exposed and punished
bringing troops home from Afghanistan; we're no better off than 2001

OPPOSES

wasteful defense spending
war with Iran: it would escalate region-wide
regime-change wars in Syria, Venezuela, Iran

AMY KLOBUCHAR

U.S. Senator from Minnesota since 2007
Announced: February 10, 2019
Home State: Minnesota

GENERAL CAMPAIGN POSITIONS / STATEMENTS

On Homeland Security

voted for 95% of military spending bills in congress (Mar 2019)
offer troops care for traumatic brain injury.(Aug 2015)
our troops need the best equipment and intelligence (Jan 2006)
voted against cutting $221M in benefits to Filipinos who served in WWII U.S. Army (Apr 2008)
voted for requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls (Feb 2008)
voted for removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad (Aug 2007)
voted for limiting deployments to 12 months (Jul 2007)
study and address suicides among veterans.(Apr 2008)
repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, and reinstate discharged gays.(Mar 2010)
exempt Veterans Affairs from federal hiring freeze (Jan 2017)
restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror (Jun 2007)

On War and Peace

supported regime change in Libya; supports Israeli military (Mar 2019)
keep U.S. military presence in Syria (Feb 2019)
turn over governance of Iraq to the Iraqis (Aug 2015)
withdraw combat troops from Iraq on sensible timetable (Aug 2015)
work together with other countries to solve Iraq problem (Oct 2006)
Iraq has devolved into a civil war; get US troops out (Oct 2006)
solution in Iraq is diplomatic, not just military (Oct 2006)
no permanent military bases in Iraq following transition to Iraqi governance (Oct 2006)
bring the troops home in a responsible manner (Oct 2006)
Iraq war has cost $300B and fomented more terrorism (Oct 2006)
accountability for the run-up to the Iraq war (Aug 2006)
supported invading Afghanistan, but not Iraq (Aug 2006)
voted against designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists (Sep 2007)

On Homeland Security

Voted for National Defense Authorizations Act for Fiscal Year 2008
supported invading Afghanistan, but not Iraq (Aug 2006)
declaring English as the official language of the U.S. government
ensuring veterans get equal support for mental health
offering troops care for traumatic brain injury
keeping the troops deployed abroad
ran nuclear deal was imperfect but made us more safe
require that Trump consult congress before war with Iran
military an option in Venezuela, but focus on diplomacy
standing with our allies, investing in diplomacy
tackling terrorist groups, and standing up for Israel
funding and supplying the Syrian rebels

BERNIE SANDERS

U.S. Senator from Vermont since 2007
Announced:     February 19, 2019
Home State:     Vermont | Website
Latest Book:    Where We Go from Here:       Two Years in the Resistance

SUPPORTS

fully funding and expanding the VA so that every veteran gets the care that they have earned and deserve
Post 9/11 GI Bill
getting veterans compensated faster by improving how compensation claims are processed
expanding the VA Caregivers Program
expanding mental health services for veterans
making comprehensive dental care available to all veterans at the VA
full funding to expand VA
improving claims processing

ACTIONS

National Military Family Assoc. – in GIO Bill
benefits transferred to military spouses
founding member Senate Military Caucus and chair 2013 to 2014
Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act
Veterean Retraining Assistance Program
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
received Congressional Award from VFW – 2015

received support from more than 25 Vet organizations

THERE IS TOO MUCH LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY TO REPORT ON HERE

FOR INFORMATION ON LEGISLATIVE BILL PLEASE GO TO https://www.congress.gov/member/ bernard-sanders/

DEVAL PATRICK

Governor of Massachusetts from 2005 to 2015
Announced: November 14, 2019
Home State: Massachusetts | Website

STATEMENTS

Massachusetts has a proud record as a national leader in veterans services, and we are ranked first in the nation for the services we provide to our veterans and their families, expending twice as many resources per veteran as the next leading state.
nothing more known or provided by campaign HQ after 3 attempts
Mark Lilienthal
Volunteer Coordinator
617-367-2006

TOM STEYER

Hedge fund manager and philanthropist
Announced: July 9, 2019
Home State: California | Website

Latest Book: Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming

The following information drawn from this source
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/11/18/militry-times-questionaire-tom-steyer/

Assessment of state and readiness of the armed forces

consider a comprehensive proposal to strengthen the military
identify and secure national public service opportunities within government departments to complement the missions of armed services personnel emphasizing opportunities that focus on pressing economic and social challenges such as assisting veterans and military families
undo the ban on transgender people in the military
secure armed forces and military bases against extreme weather through smart infrastructure investments and planning
eliminate risks to military personnel that arise out of our reliance on fossil fuels by transitioning to a safe and clean economy

U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan, in Syria and Iraq, and In Europe

withdraw American troops out of Afghanistan within first year in office
work together, not go-it-alone
support European allies and work together in concert to get things done

To what level increase or decrease Defense Department budget

support a reduction
budget should match the scope, scale, and threat faced by the United States today
requirements and systems to meet them to be developed by the armed services
sustain technological edge
sustain deterrence
consider impact on readiness when evaluating military budget

Suicides in military and among veterans

urgent public health crisis
strengthen Department of Veterans Affairs and support military leadership
our warriors deserve the best — both on the field and when they return home
expand health services for veterans, including from mental health professionals

Top policy priority involving veterans

our nation’s veterans deserve our respect, our gratitude
they deserve the solemn pledge from their commander in chief that America will never waver in its commitment to them
committed to veterans returning to their families and communities and to their long-term well being
cancel the student loan debt for permanently disabled veterans
support priorities involving veterans, including homelessness, workforce training, and mental-health treatment

Has pushing veterans health care services into the private sector gone too far? Would you repeal or alter existing VA community care programs?

officials have absolutely gone too far— not a policy I will pursue
access to healthcare a fundamental right for all Americans
unique healthcare needs of veterans best met through the VA
build upon success of the VA hospital system, and make necessary investments to ensure system properly resourced and modernized

ELIZABETH WARREN

U.S. Senator from Massachusetts since 2013
Announced:     February 9, 2019
Home State:     Massachusetts | Website

Latest Book:    This Fight Is Our Fight: The Battle to Save America's Middle Class
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/us/politics/veterans-day-2020-democrats.html

SUPPORTS

strong support for veterans
exempting Department of Veterans Affairs from federal hiring freeze (Jan 2017)
ending defense contractors’ stranglehold on military policy
unequivocal support for Israel's qualitative military edge
reducing size of standing army to reduce deficit
#1 responsibility: protect Americans from terrorism
military actions that kill civilians may create radicalism
non-proliferation including disposing of nuclear materials
no intervention in Yemen; but intervention in Gaza OK
withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria
strong sanctions against Iranian nukes, with other countries
bringing US troops home from Afghanistan
taking nothing off the table with Iran's nuclear weapon
getting out of Afghanistan as fast as possible
requiring Iran to accept long-term intrusive nuclear inspections

ACTIONS

reform procedures for determinations on disposition of charges and the convening of courts-martial for certain offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice
bill to add resources to VA for processing
Veteran Education Empowerment Act
Voices for Veterans Act
Veterans Home Loan Choices Act
Wounded Warrior Service Dog Act
Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act
Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act
Veteran Suicide Prevention Act
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Vets Act

COMMENTS

difficult to find “Issues” related to veterans on web site

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

Spiritual teacher, author, lecturer, entrepreneur, and activist
Announced:     January 28, 2019
Home State:     California | Website
Latest Book:    A Politics of Love: A Handbook for a New American Revolution

The Williamson Administration will (copied from marianne2020.com)

provide VA with more in-depth understanding of the number of veterans and service members at risk for homelessness; i. e. understanding who is coming home with PTSD, addiction, and other mental health issues and therefore more studies and more research into these topics
provide more veterans with affordable housing; system that studies the influences that cause homelessness, and that tracks the needs of veterans, morally required
create a Universal Basic Income: especially constructive for veterans transitioning back to life in the United States
free community college and student loan amnesty to benefit veterans who went into the armed forces as a way to pay for their education
making education more affordable will help veterans who want to continue their education
increased mental-health services for the nation, but particularly for veterans
create a US Department of Peace; one of the best ways to protect veterans: ensure that there are fewer of them in the future

ANDREW YANG

American entrepreneur and founder of Venture for America (VFA)
Announced: November 6, 2017
Home State: New York | Website
Latest Book: The War on Normal People: The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income is Our Future

SUPPORTS

modernizing military spending
redirecting money to “actual threats”
Investing in, and creating mentor programs for veterans
providing resources to veteran-run businesses in the form of initial investment, low-cost financing options, and preferential treatment
providing all other services to increase the stability veterans feel, and ensuring a successful transition to civilian life
destigmatizing veteran treatment
increasing funding and reach of crisis lines
providing free gun safes/storage for all veterans, which has been shown to reduce suicide risk significantly
establishing a census-like team to research and find all homeless veterans and get them and their information into the VA system
helping veterans afford housing through financial literacy, assistance in saving up for a down payment or security deposit
increasing availability of affordable housing options

DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES:
THOSE WHO HAVE ENDED THEIR CAMPAIGNS

Steve Bullock
Governor of Montana since 2013
Announced:   May 14, 2019
Dropped:       December 2, 2019
Home State:   Montana

Bill de Blasio
Mayor of New York City since 2013
Announced:   May 16, 2019
Dropped:       September 20, 2019
Home State:   New York

Kirsten Gillibrand
U. S. Senator from New York since January 2009
Announced:   March 17, 2019
Dropped:       August 28, 2019
Home State:   New York

Mike Gravel
U. S. Senator from Alaska from 1969 to 1981
Announced:   April 8, 2019
Dropped:       August 6, 2019
Home State:   Alaska

Kamala Harris
U. S. Senator from California since 2017
Announced:   January 21, 2019
Dropped:       December 3, 2019
Home State:   California

John Hickenlooper
Governor of Colorado since 2011
Announced:   March 4, 2019
Dropped:       August 15, 2019
Home State:   Colorado

Jay Inslee
Governor of Washington since 2013
Announced:   March 1, 2019
Dropped:       August 21, 2019
Home State:   Washington

Seth Moulton
U. S. Representative for Massachusetts since 2015
Announced:   April 22, 2019
Dropped:       August 23, 2019
Home State:   Massachusetts

Richard Ojeda
West Virginia State Senator since 2016
Announced:   November 11, 2018
Dropped:       January 25, 2019
Home State:   West Virginia

Beto O’Rourke
Former U. S. Representative for Texas
Announced:   March 14, 2019
Dropped:       November 1, 2019
Home State:   Texas

Tim Ryan
U. S. Representative for Ohio since 2003
Announced:   April 4, 2019
Dropped:       October 24, 2019
Home State:   Ohio

Mark Sanford
Former Governor of South Carolina and former U.S. Represenative
Announced:   September 9, 2019
Dropped:       November 12, 2019
Home State:   South Carolina

Joe Sestak
U. S. Representative from Pennsylvania since 2007
Announced:   June 22, 2019
Dropped:       December 2, 2019
Home State:   Pennsylvania

Eric Swalwell
U. S. Representative from California's 15th district since 2013
Announced:   April 8, 2019
Dropped:       July 9, 2019
Home State:   California

Wayne Messam
Mayor of Miramar, Florida since 2015
Announced:    March 28, 2019
Suspended:     November 20, 2019
Home State:    Florida