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 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.

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.