With Honor, a political action committee founded by Marine veteran Rye Barcott, has elected dozens of veterans to Congress across both parties since 2018 with an explicit commitment to bipartisan cooperation. The group recently supported the For Country Caucus, which now includes nearly 40 veterans currently serving in Congress and mandates that members meet with at least one member of the opposing party every month.
The caucus is co-chaired by Reps. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas) and Don Davis (D-N.C.) and was created, according to its mission statement, 'to help address the divisive political polarization tearing our country apart.' In 2024, With Honor spent over $15 million supporting veteran candidates across party lines.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates argue that bipartisan veterans' organizations represent a model for bridging divides in an era of declining institutional trust. Democratic Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina has co-chaired the For Country Caucus alongside Republican Rep. Jake Ellzey, demonstrating cross-aisle cooperation at a time when many caucuses are organized around partisan or identity-based priorities.
Democratic analysts note that veterans like New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who served in Congress before becoming governor, represent the kind of bipartisan leadership the country needs. Supporters argue that military service instills discipline and pragmatism that can translate into effective governance across party lines.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators contend that veteran-led bipartisanship reflects traditional American values rather than political compromise. Republican supporters emphasize that organizations like With Honor prioritize country over party, a philosophy they say aligns with the nonpartisan nature of military service and the oath to defend the Constitution.
Republican strategists point to Rep. Jake Ellzey's co-leadership as evidence that conservative principles can coexist with cross-party engagement. Some on the right argue that Congress would benefit from more members who understand sacrifice and duty, regardless of how they vote on specific policy issues.
What the Numbers Show
According to Gallup polling, only 32 percent of Americans say they have a 'great deal' or a 'fair amount' of trust in Congress — reflecting historically low public confidence in the legislative branch. Pew Research data shows that between 1965 and 1975, at least 70 percent of members in both congressional chambers were veterans; that figure has dropped to just 23 percent in the current Congress. The For Country Caucus currently includes nearly 40 veteran-members across both parties.
The Bottom Line
With Honor's $15 million investment in 2024 represents one of the largest bipartisan spending efforts by a single organization focused on military veterans as candidates. The For Country Caucus's mandate for monthly cross-party meetings remains unusual among congressional groups, which are typically organized around shared policy goals or regional interests rather than procedural cooperation. As polarization continues to dominate Washington, veteran-led organizations argue their model offers an alternative path — though critics question whether bipartisan rhetoric can translate into legislative outcomes on contested issues.