About VoteVets.org
Mission Statement
Founded in 2006, and backed by over 360,000 supporters, the mission of VoteVets.org is to use public issue campaigns and direct outreach to lawmakers to ensure that troops abroad have what they need to complete their missions, and receive the care they deserve when they get home. VoteVets.org also recognizes veterans as a vital part of the fabric of our country and will work to protect veterans' interests in their day-to-day lives.
VoteVets.org is committed to the destruction of terror networks around the world – with force when necessary – to protect America. While non-partisan, the group is the largest progressive organization of veterans in America.
More Information
Statistics
- Over 220,000 supporters in all 50 states, including troops, veterans, military families, and their supporters
- State Captains organizing in all 50 states
- Over 200 interviews, news stories, and on air media appearances
- Over 5 million voter contacts since 2006 in various forms
- Over $30 million raised and spent since inception
Issue Advocacy
The nature of war is changing, and the needs of veterans in the 21st century are different than in past eras. To that end, VoteVets.org has successfully fought for the following:
- An end to wasteful spending, such as the out-of-date F-22, with a greater focus on practical equipment, such as body and vehicle armor.
- A 21st Century G.I. Bill, to make college affordable for our returning service-members, allowing them to become part of the middle class.
- A repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, allowing more Americans to serve in the Armed Forces, and stop the depletion of our military of essential specialists, such as translators.
- Advanced funding of the Department of Veterans affairs, one year in advance, so the department is never short-changed.
- Increased financial support for mental health care for our service members, as well as greater research and treatment of Traumatic Brain Disorders.
- An end to the destructive “Stop Loss” policy, which involuntarily extended deployments, as well as increased time on the home front between deployments.
- Passage of landmark health care legislation, which will extend opportunities to get quality health insurance.
- Passage of the 9/11 First Responders bill, which provides health care to the first responders - many of whom are veterans - of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
VoteVets.org continues to focus on matters including energy security, veterans’ unemployment, and opening military service to life-long Americans born to undocumented immigrants, as well as continued investment in care for veterans.
More often than not, Veterans have a stake in the top issues of the day, and VoteVets.org is committed to getting their voices heard on these issues. For that reason, VoteVets.org has, and will continue to, work with all progressive allies representing labor, immigration, gay and lesbian rights, and environmentalists, when their issues coincide with the needs of troops and veterans.
Advocacy
Additionally, VoteVets.org spends a percentage of its resources on advocacy – supporting those public officials who support troops and veterans and opposing those that do not support our efforts. Starting in the 2006 cycle, VoteVets.org:
- Run over 40 TV commercials and radio spots in 30 states advocating the support of our friends.
- Ran canvass efforts, directly reaching out to voters in five states, including in Senator Patty Murray’s successful Senate race in 2010.
- Launched pilot program in 2010, where veterans and military family members went door to door in a three month 400,000 paid canvas in Pennsylvania.
- Aired over $15 million in television and radio ads, advocating re-election for allies and urging defeat of those who do not support troops and veterans.
- Deployed over $1 million dollars in targeted direct mail.
- Dropped over 300 Letters to the Editors and Opinion Editorials throughout the 50 states from local veterans
- Partnered with progressive allies on coordinated activities in Missouri, Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California and others.
About VoteVets.org PAC
Press Inquiries:
646-415-8429
Eric [at] VoteVets.org
Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.