I believe that Americans are ready and willing to answer the call to serve and come together to meet the challenges that we face at the local, national, and international level. We just need to create the conditions to mobilize them. That is why I am proud to join Senators Young and Coons and Representatives Houlahan, Panetta, Bacon. and Bergman in introducing the Unity through Service Act. Our bipartisan legislation is based on the recommendations of the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service. The Commission was established in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. Back then, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain and I were trying look at how we could encourage the most qualified individuals of all backgrounds to volunteer for military service. We quickly understood that the question was also about something bigger. What does it mean for the Nation when so many people do not have the common experience of service, whether in the military or in their communities? And what happens when those who want to serve do not have the opportunity to do so? With those thoughts in mind, we established the Commission to look at the issue of service comprehensively.…
On the recordMarch 25, 2025
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