We must be honest about our party’s past and avoid repeating the mistakes that left too many communities feeling unseen. We should establish a national sovereign wealth fund so that no veteran — and no American — has to live in poverty when they retire. Medicare for All could help fix much of the VA system by guaranteeing universal coverage while strengthening veterans’ care rather than privatizing it. We must also double down on real organizing and modern micro-targeting — listening to people where they are, especially our veterans and military families. By directly engaging these communities and sharing a clear vision for a better future for them and their children, we can build a more affordable, secure, and fair America.
My priorities are expanding economic opportunity, protecting democracy, supporting working families, and ensuring every veteran has access to quality healthcare, education, housing, and meaningful employment. Our path forward is about service, inclusion, and delivering real results for people.
The Democratic Party rightly celebrates veterans in our rhetoric, but our bylaws do not yet match that respect with real responsibility or power. As written, the bylaws grant specific caucuses formal roles in party governance — including the power to nominate at-large DNC members and guaranteed representation in key decision-making bodies — while veterans are left out. For example, twenty-two at-large DNC seats must be nominated by listed caucuses and councils such as the Black, Hispanic, AAPI, Disability, LGBTQ+, Native American, regional caucuses and the Youth Council, but the Veterans Caucus is not included in that nominating authority.
We must never forget our 9/11 first responders, survivors, and their families—and we must honor their sacrifice with permanent, fully funded healthcare, not broken promises. Any attempt by DOGE or others to cut or destabilize the World Trade Center Health Program is a disgrace and a gut punch to a community that was told America would always have their backs.
DNC-Charter-Bylaws-08.27.2025. Likewise, the bylaws recognize several named caucuses for quorum and organizational purposes — again including Black, Hispanic, Women’s, AAPI, Native American, LGBTQ+, and Disability caucuses — but do not include veterans.
DNC-Charter-Bylaws-08.27.2025. This means that while we honor veterans with words, we structurally sideline them in practice: no guaranteed Executive Committee voice, no at-large nominating power, and no formal role equal to other major caucuses such as Labor’s longtime partners within the party. If we truly value veterans’ service and experience, we must modernize our bylaws to give the Veterans Caucus the same standing, voice, and responsibility as our other core constituencies — not as symbolism, but as real power to shape policy and the Democratic Party’s future.
It’s time for the DNC to re-establish a National Coordinated Campaign, bringing party committees and key stakeholders together on a regular basis to organize a modern political framework that will win across the ballot for years to come.
-Mike