On Monday, Biden-Harris 2024 launched Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris, a national organizing program led by First Lady Jill Biden—a military mom, grandmom, and daughter of a veteran. Dr. Biden kicked off the coalition launch with a three state, one-day tour, hitting Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida—three key states with high populations of veterans and military families. The Biden-Harris campaign will also hold additional events across the battlegrounds, including in Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona, Flint and Lansing in Michigan, Green Bay in Wisconsin, Las Vegas and Reno in Nevada, Erie, Harrisburg and Pittston in Pennsylvania and Nashua in New Hampshire. Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris engages and mobilizes millions of veterans and military families across the country through battleground state events, relational organizing and online engagement.
Amidst rumors that President Joe Biden will bow out of the race after his lackluster performance in last month’s debate with Donald Trump, Dr. Jill Biden assured the Tampa crowd that her husband is in it to win it. Dr. Biden said, “Joe has made it clear that he is all in.”
The First Lady also spoke about the work the Biden-Harris administration has done for veterans and military families highlighting the bills President Biden signed, the PACT Act for toxic burns, expanding access to the VA and the fact that her son served in Iraq Dr. Biden said, “”Let me ask you this: Do you think Trump knows about any of that?” She also said President Biden doesn’t just talk about what he’s going to do, instead he actually does it.
“Our veterans and military families are the brave and the bold—who step forward for all of us. They deserve a commander in chief who respects their bravery and understands personally their sacrifice—not one who denigrates them for being willing to put their lives on the line for our democracy,” said Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. “Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris helps to underscore the stark contrast voters will see in November: Donald Trump has no respect for our men and women in uniform, their families, or the freedoms many of them fought to defend, calling fallen soldiers suckers and losers. Joe Biden is a military father who understands the importance of fighting for veterans every day to earn their support at the ballot box.”
As a military father, Joe Biden deeply understands the sacrifices of service members and their families. Under his leadership, the administration has delivered unprecedented care and benefits to veterans and their families.
- Signed the PACT Act: President Biden signed the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, the most significant expansion of benefits for veterans impacted by toxic exposures in over 30 years, granting over 1 million claims to those seeking care.
- Delivered Care: In 2023 alone, the administration delivered over $163 billion in earned benefits to 6.3 million veterans, a testament to President Biden’s commitment to those who have served.
- Expanded VA Eligibility: President Biden extended VA health care eligibility by up to eight years for veterans exposed to toxins during their service, ensuring comprehensive support for those who served in conflicts from the Vietnam War to the post-9/11 era.
- Veteran Suicide Prevention: President Biden launched a comprehensive strategy to reduce veteran suicide, which includes the 988 Veterans Crisis Lifeline and expanded peer counseling programs, removing barriers to essential mental health care.
- Supporting Caregivers: The administration has increased support for caregivers and expanded home and community-based care options for veterans with disabilities, recognizing the vital role families play in veterans’ lives.
- Economic Security: The Biden administration achieved a veteran unemployment rate matching a record low, providing economic stability and opportunities for veterans and their families
- Homelessness Reduction: The VA awarded over $1 billion in 2023 to support homeless veterans, permanently housing more than 46,000 veterans and helping over 145,000 veterans and their families keep their homes.
- Strengthening Economic Opportunity: Through the White House Joining Forces initiative led by Dr. Jill Biden, the Biden-Harris administration has made it easier for military spouses to obtain and keep jobs in the federal government, and has worked to make child care more affordable and accessible for military families.
In stark contrast, Donald Trump has a history of disrespecting and undermining veterans and service members. Now, Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris will hold Trump accountable for putting himself before our democracy and the brave men and women who defend it.
- Cutting Veteran Benefits: His administration attempted to cut essential benefits for veterans and allowed his associates to exploit the VA for personal gain.
- Demeaning Fallen Troops: Trump called fallen soldiers “losers” and “suckers,” attacked military leaders’ intelligence, and insulted notable veterans like John McCain and George H.W. Bush.
- Tries to Rip Away Social Security and Aid for Veterans: Trump attempted to cut benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance and rental assistance for veterans to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.
- Mismanagement of VA: Trump allowed his associates, known as the “Mar-a-Lago Crowd,” to wield undue influence over the VA, leading to decisions that prioritized their interests over those of veterans.
- Dangerous for National Security: Military leaders, including 10 former secretaries of defense, have warned against Trump’s attempts to overturn democratic processes and his potential return to office.
The Biden-Harris campaign recognizes the critical role that veterans and military families play in shaping our nation’s future, and the Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris organizing program will help inform and mobilize the community to reelect Joe Biden to continue delivering for our troops and their families.
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