and number two he never paid the high school associatesthey votet bankrupt because of that guy. what he has done now he's been doing that forever. host: this will be eugene from florida. hello mr. pedro. host: you are on. caller: i wanted to tell everyone to have a prayer for the people of maryland this morning. ■host: that's the collapse of te francis scott key bridge. that is it for open farm and

thanks for those who participated. the discussion will be with marine veteran rye barcott in the group with "with honor action" trying to increase veterans in office. that's when washington journal continues. >> will you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to hear will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? >> the new series congress investigates as they explore nations history's.nsur authors and historians will tell the stories and we impacts and y investigative hearings.

the 1912 hearing of the sinking of the titanic they ta about ice warnings ignored, the treatment of different classes of passengers. we will hearhat congress did about it and how it changed see passages. c-span has been delivering unfiltered congressional the space program has been a marvelous program for america to expand its knowledge, his horizons and it will continue to do so in the future. as long as man has the thirst for knowledge we will continue to press outward. in the process, there is risk.

that risk is taken by each o of us every day and that risk is understood by all the members of the crew that climb into a loaded spaceship. >> c-span, powered by cable. host: once we're done they will take you back to the green room. hello? this is rye barcott with "with honor action" to talk about the issue of veterans in politics. the organization what was this beginnings? guest: it's ananago and they wef veterans running across party

lines who could put the country first but phase type barriers to entry because of the cost of election. most served and iraq and afghanistan. we established a political honor pledge to serve with integrity, civility and courage to work in a bipartisan manner. 19 got through that cycle. that caucus has grown to 30 members in the house and they also work senators who are bipartisan and have passed 150 laws focused on national security, national service and veterans affairs. host: what makes a a

good candidate for politics? guest: the screening process is important but one of the key portions of being a vet is usurped from americans from all walks of life on missions larger than yourself. these day the only public institution that has trust is the u.s. military and our veterans so this is a way of bonding across the divide that are so corrosive to the country. our mission this is not about veterans per se but fighting polarization through these principal vets that decide to be work courses and not show horses. when you look back at the data veterans used to be about 70% of congress andively. veterans as a group have been

more bipartisan in the way they vote and cosponsor legislation so that is where we are orienting on. this group can do difficult th and have adult conversations when culture wars are flying. host: is there a special quality about a vet? guest: commitment to service. it's about putting the country ahead of yourself. you can't really understand it until you have signed the oath of office that says i will giv e up to my life. host: when you look at the number of people leaving coress, but is the message at this time? guest: individuals who will be committed to this pledge to work across party lines and

have served this country in uniforms. we've evaluated 2000 veterans is supported 10% of those we have supported vets down ballots but our focus is on congress. host: in 1970 33 out of four members has some sort of military service and now it is one and six. guest: what we've seen in the past 10 years the number of veterans has held constant and there's a disproportion!ate there are fewer amounts of veterans as world war ii and vietnam on in less than 1% serve in uniform and less than 2% serve in any sort so fewer americans are serving but those who do serve disproportionately

look for ways to serve a■yin. st: you talked about the bipartisan nature of veterans as far as your groupñ> would you label yourself a partisan group? guest: we are strictly bipartisan because we look to support vetanthe largest politil affiliation since we started the organization has become unaffiliated americans. those consist of our stakeholders who feel they don't have a political home and folks who will not just take the partisan route but will be together and work on serious issues. that's just what we're seeing right now. host: this is our guest of "wi"

for democrats (202) 748-8000, for republicans (202) 748-8001, for independents. i'm sorry if you are a veteran ho (202) 748-8000 and if not (2) 748-8001. what do you think about ukraine? guest: it's at the top of the the first group that met with members of parliament was the four country caucus the group of 30 veterans, bipartisan across party lines led by tony gonzalez and navy vet■ and jason crow who was an afghanistan army ranger

and that group has consistently been on the front lines of advocating for the right type of support. jared goldman has introduced a piece of legislation called defending borders■á and defendig democracies an alternative to the ability to assist ukraine if the senate bill does not pass and he is going out, limb but those are the types of actions we look to support. host: when it comes to ukraine is there a veterans case to be made for the continuing activity there? guest: this is not about one particular country it's about the fight for democracy versus autocracy. we have done an amazing job so far with providing assistance to enable ukraine on the front

lines. we worked with one of the veteran members of the four country caucus and we saw the battlefield units that have been fighting for two years. their morale remains high because it's an existential fight for them. host: when it comes to other veterans issues what top sought list? guest: the key pieces of legislation that's been around mental health. seth moulton who i served within the marine corps help initiate the 991 number for veteran suicide which is available to americans across the country. he also initiated with senator mark kelly, and other veterans an act called the printed act

after a navy veteran who died from suicide and it's a way for military members to highlight for their chain of command when they are having a mental health issue and destigmatize it. this is important in the military and society writ large. host: for those who come back from service? guest: it's a lonely space year and for those who suffered artillery concussions and they are suffering from mental health trauma. there are new remedies that need to be experimented with and tested through the v.a. to address mental health. this population is one that has suffered not only because of the

effects of war but the inability and loneliness of coming back to the home front and all of a sudden being out of uniform and looking for a larger purpose. that is one of the areas we focus on is trying to provide that level of support so they can be a credible citizens. host: our conversation with rye barcott, (202) 748-8000 for veterans and everyone else (202) 748-8001. we have ron from cleveland, a vietnam vet. caller: why do people think donald trump is such a great man for veterans? host: you have to stop listing to your tv and go ahead with your question or comment.

ultimately a veteran's view of the commander-in-chief is quite important? guest: thanks to ron for his service in the vietnam war. our organization is focused on veterans who will put the party ahead -- country ahead of their party. the polarization is a threat to ourveness and our existence as a democracy and this is not tied to any one individual. we are fighting that with principal defense to get them elected and support them once they are elected. host: from jose in virginia calling in on the veterans line. caller: i am an afghan veteran of 22 years and i wanted to get commentary onhet if

there is any advocacy there. i'm still working with afghan interpreters who are in danger from the taliban is there any push on that? do you know therz veterans for veterans advocating for foreign policy? guest: i'm on the board of that important initiative afghan allies has been a key action in the bipartan caucus. sincerom afghanistan. there is an act called the african adjustment act developing a pathway for legal permanent residents for 80,000 afghan allies who were here that fought side-by-side in the

toughest conditions about war and that was introduced by one of the vice chairs of the four country caucus. last week there was an important advancement led byas crow and a veteran helped to initiate the afghan allies protection act and that finally passed through the appropriations to allow siv's. thus to assist afghans overseas living in difficult conditions and they have to serve alongside her units. not only those 12,000 but they will be able to include their dependents, their wives and children.

a fairly robust initiative that passed into law. this is a bipartisanjust becauss bipartisan in washington that's this dysfunctional it does not mean it will go anywherethat's n to be able to advance things that really matter even in this chaotic environment. host: what about the smart power aspect? guest: retired military officers who are a enlisted and senior flag officers and smart power blends the tools of hard power tools along with cultural influence and state department eight initiatives and that is a toolbox for promoting democracy around theorld.

it's a good organization aligned with ours. host: what is your past military background? guest: i served in the marine corps from 2001-2006. i served in the same unit as mike gallagher a founding member of the four country caucus and went to basic school with seth mullen and fortunate to have that experience. host: what did you feel aboutnt for leaving congress? guest: this is an extremely difficult environment to be in and especially when you are younger and have a young family and his kids are under the age of four with another one on the way. he campaigned from the beginning that he believed in term limits

and here is a guy living up to his word and made a big impact ahead of the chairmanselect comd cap that bipartisan from day one and initiated a major piece of legislation that with honor has endorsed the tiktok bill. host: is rosella from the bronx new york. caller: this is mr. barcott? i served shortly and i did not get released without psychological help and i went through a lot of diabolical things but my brain was still

intact. i went in as a positive person at 17. when i see this state of the place now. i realize how oppressed people are because right now i don't leave two blocks out of my house. i'm in therapy now and am able to address it and i've got my benefits and i'm in touch with veterans. i was in a structured environment. instead of becoming a product of that environment became a trustee for the and constantly excelled no matter what my challenges and i know how difficult it is to come back home in dealing with trauma from

the military, it was a were sympathize and encourage you and implore you to keep doing what you are doing. every bit of help is a domino effect pushing against the waves. even though sometimes people don't■ why you would have to encourage another person. i want you to stay doing just what you are doing because you lexude confidence and strength. his attractive people who are oppressed. guest: thanks for sharing that and as you mentioned, the therapy and the ahelp that's a . thus one of the important things to addressing our mental health crisis.

with honor focuses on fighting polarity and there are other laws that this group has passed. of mental health is one of many that organizations focus on. we have heard about others about afghan allies and ukrainian valleys. host: this is catherine from ohio. caller: i would like them to straighten out the disability program. served in he died before he could get anything. he died because the cleveland clinic that he was up for a transplant. i'm upset about entitlement programs.

i've been soliciting for my children since they were born. i am bipolar. and i have been trying to apply because his federally written since when children were born. my daughter is 24 and my sois 22. they can't make alive because they don't give you start you out with the brain exam which is how i came into the system. back then you had an mra where they would check your brain and check for damage and the neurologist, he sent me to a psychiatrist. when my disability came back i was so mad at them diagnosing me

with ptsd that i yelled at them. it led me into college and everythi else. afghanistan took my college away. i'm stuck on disability with two grown children deliberately impoverished. host: thank you for your story. guest: i am sorry to hear what you and your family are going through. the polarization of congress in our country makes solving any of these problems were difficult. the most basic of an injustice in the government agency and something not being done the right way. that's where we're focused on getting to this root cause and we are doing that by helping elect principled veterans across

the country we have screened over 2000 and elected nearly 90. i hope the issue that you raised is one that can be addressed with time through actions like this. host: how would you assess the ability of the v.a. dealing with mental health issues? guest: there is strong leadership in the v.a.,enis mcdonough has come out to our events including one that initiated the passing of the global war on terrorism on the national mall. with mike and jason crow cochairing. they have to be in the mindset of always looking to do better

in continuing lease speaking out on improvements and one of those things the secretary has done is prioritize outreach. we are lookingéx to be constructive parts of continuing to improve the v.a.. host: our next call is paul a vietnam vet. caller: how are you doing? i suffered from agent orange in vietnam and i think god for the they helped me considerably but what really fixed me up is the bonded administration is giving better benefits to illegal aliens the veteran sleeping on the street.

and i urge every veteran don't vote for a democrat. guest: as you may be aware one of the important pieces of bipartisan legislation along with many other important services including vab and the iraq pack was something that got done in the past two years across party lines that addresses illnesses agent oran. a vietnam vet so thank you for your service. host: does that talk about burn pits? guest: burn pits and illnesses that extend from agent orange. massachusetts. caller: good morning.

i am a vietnam veteran and i served for 20 years in the navy. i have a 30% disability but is deducted from my navy retirement checks which i lose 6000 a year's congress doing anything about this? guest: i am not aware but we will look into it. our group would be a natural one to look into it. one of the first bill passed was the goldstar act and that enabled a reduction in excess taxes to over 60,000 goldstar families so thank you for bringing that to our attention. host: there was a pew research

poll and they said if they were positive or negative reception they said it was positive but between the ages of 18-29 felt it was a negative perception. in the past five years we've seen an erosion of trust in the military a is exasperated among young americans who serve at a lower capacity and percentage that previously sold lessha young americans serve in the military or civilian service and one things we have done is pushed to advanced americorps was a way of serving. we think service is the key that helps unite us across party

lines. one of the first candidates we supported for a gubernatorial position wases moore from maryland. his line is that service can save us in the first bill he put forward was a bill to enable more service these a the types of initiatives we are seeking to help maintain the value set they can maintain the values going forward. host: what do you think is behind the negative perceptions of the military? guest: i think they've been directed to the culture wars there is an eat those and i studied us in undergraduate and he focused on the gap between

civil and military relations and how it has gotten wider over the years and why it's important to defendour institutions and stops erosion of trust. host: christine honor line for others. caller: thank you to our guest for the work he and his group are doing. within your group, what is your own climate of how much change and impact you can really have. we have in our society the is so intense and to me, it

seems so great that i do not have hope it will get better from here. rious how you feel about that? you want to have hope and you have to with the amazing work you are doing. i wanted to hear it from your view given how everything is? guest: that's a powerful and important question and if i am being honest this is a difficult environment. weet the organization between january 6 and the divisions that manifested on our televisions. that event ripped the band-aid on even more relationships in congress where there are some members of the freshman class have never had a conversation with each other. these divisions run very deep

and the problem is signiwhat gin optimist is the actions of those members and the four country caucus and you can see all of the members online. they are making the right decisions of putting the country ahead of narrow self-interest. deciding to be workhorses instead of show horses and making difficult decisions. a good example is tony gonzalez who was in a fight for his seed because he is a republican primary opponent a wblican oppo? he took full of folks who are not along the orthodoxy we are there and we will support him and that is something that some of the voters can do.

not aligned with incentives to buck your party it is just the f4opposite but thats what we need to recognize and support and that is what with honor action does. host: how well the job does the government do in preparing them for civilian life? guest: i think the government is doing a better job than when i got out in 2006 where youansitim that lasted 24 hours and then you are out. in my case i had a great network andere looking out for me i missed my father was a veteran. i have a soft landing but what is happened over time is making that program more robust the

transition assistance program and working with our top companies who are looking to hire veterans. they may notice an investment on the front and because they have to teach them skills but it's in their self-interest because you will get someone who will run through walls for you and serve a mission higher than yourself and has operated in difficult circumstances. have continued improvement but it is one we are working on a long with hers. host: james said afghan veteran thank you for calling you are on. caller: good morning c-span i like the high definition on the new set that looks nice. i have one question about the major richard starr act.

i wonder if that is going to pass? guest: semper fi. it's an important piece of legislation we have endorsed it as well and were optimistic that this can get through it does have bicameral support which is something harder to get these days in the path to get done this year. host: a marine veteran,ik cleveland. caller: my issue is the issue with opioids that they refused to give to veterans with chronic injuries. i have shrapnel in my back and legs and a whole lot of other injuries. if you go to the v.a. and asked them for pain relief they write you up as a drug addict. i am 73 years old.

make me a drug pain of veteranss being completely ignored for some kind of political, what's the idea there? guest: thank you for mentioning that it is not an issue where we have worked organizationally but it may be as one where we show that we will take a look at it. host: last month there was a situation where general austin his information about his hospital stay about it what is k about the situation and long-term impacts of that? guest: my perspective was that it was important to have that level of transparency to say this is where i was on it and i felt it became a political football in the use or for their own political benefit which was unfortunate.

every reacon is a call for impeachment and that does no good for our country and both sides do it to each other which is why we are trying to build a ballast, a group that says take a pause and turned the temperature down let's have conversations for the good of our country. host: how sympathetic were backe day? guest: there was plenty of rous policy differences but they operated in a different manner. and we know with john warner who was a world war ii and korea and were that who made it a habit of writing a welcome note to each new member of congress and share with them about what it was like

when you had real relationships& across party lines and you didn't have to worry about private conversations leak to the press. host:m■ this is earl from georg. caller: good morning c-span. host: go ahead. caller: i am a veteran also. i just want to bring the attention they sent me to a civilian doctor who diagnosed me with flat feet and then my feet started swelling. is that considered

[indiscernible] guest: a major piece of legislation in pact act is taking care of our vets from prior conflicts including your own time isehost: a navy vet frw mexico, james. caller: i'm retired from the navy as a chaplain in the v.a. as a chaplain so i have been around the military and military you said your organization support support in iraq but you also said you are highly bipartisan and acknowledge support for republicans, independents and democrats.

how can you be and you support the war in iraq when the republicans don't support the war in i the republican nominee thinks veterans are suckers? how can you be bipartisan when the republican leader in the republicans in congress aren't supporting democracy? host: do you mean ukraine or iraq? caller: did i say iraq government that's ok, don't apologize. guest: it's difficult. i am an affiliate --unaffiliated. every day there's an opportunity to get triggered.

it's not easy and werone of the only organization that's doing it. if you feel you don't have a home and there's not a one party solution which i believe it by courier. there are three things he could do was an individual if you want to address this problem. you can do nothing which is a natural place to go. you could pick a side and cotabato can bottled the other and hope for a moderation. i understand that instinct but it hasn't happened in 30 years or you can look for organizations that are trying to offer a constructive■ solution. ukraine is a good solution. the members within the caucus are focused on fighting for democracy and they are holding the outline and there is still bipartisan support i am hopeful

through is completely irresponsible to rip off the band-aid and say there are no weapons and these are basic ammunitions. one of the battaon commander said i have four quarter rounds left right on the edge of where the heaviest fighting was taking place. we do have bipartisan support and we see real action when we get to congress which is why i'm r-■ron the show today. host: you want veterans to help be less polarized. are■ñ there other ways to become less polarized? guest: the avenues are difficult. we look for ways to have actual structural changes. there was an effort a few years ago that enabled any legislation

to get to the floor if it had a level of cosponsors regardless of party and that was constructive but these hard problems that are polarization is driven by structural changes such as gerrymandering and the fact that we have few competitive districts and most are safe seats. this is part of the reasons why we are active in spaces and safe reasonable person through the primary and be a constructive member of congress and not playing two extremes. host: mark in florida we are running short on time so go ahead with your comment. caller: good morning to my fellow marine you are great

spokes person. under ronald reagan he appointed james webb before he was a senator to become the under secretary of the navy and that was an act of bipartisanship and went on to author the g.i. bill. here's my question to you and you already answered it. your physical courage and patriotism is record sized i did not realize you were just in ukra significant is that that te americans are successful to prevent a further spread of the russian attack? up, but i appreciate your courage and work. guest: i love the disproportionate representation of marines calling in for this segment. you rock. host: larry, larry in missouri,

a little short on time so go ahead. caller: i just want to thank you for the time and effort you are doing bringing efft ringing veterans into politics. in order to be commander-in-chief you need to start from the bottom and work your way up. let -- that would be like me getting the ceo job at general motors otherwise. i appreciate you. guest: i appreciate that comment. as you know as one who has served, in the military, it does not matter who your dad or mom is or what your parent's net worth was. what matters is how you perform and taking care of the man and woman to your left and right, regardless of what they believe or political party. you put that aside and focus on the mission and that is what we are trying to do with bringing additional veterans into the second form of service with elected office in a battlefield

of its own. the bullets are not metal, but they come in different ways. host: do you agree that it isn't fortin -- it is important for the commander-in-chief to have a military background? guest: it is a benefit. when you look at american history, it is the most common quality and experience that presidents have had. for the last step we have not seen that military service in part just demographically. we have fewer americans serving. back in the world war ii generation it was over 20% that served in uniform andbelow 1%. there are demographic pieces. whether it is in the military or a civilian form of service, some background of actually serving your country, putting away a year or two or more and saying i am not focusedam focused on beig here for my country and doing something larger than myself is a very important quality. host: for the efforts to bring

more veterans into the process and get them involved, what define success? guest: our mission is to fight polarization so i joke now having been doing this for five years that clearly we have done a hell of a job. the direction of congress certainly has not gotten better. but what has happened is that this group has been able to be very productive and represents a next generation ofeaso what sucs like is not a core number of veterans. we are not going to get back to 70% anytime soon at least and that is not what it is about. it is about congress working effectively and having more individuals who actually are able to work across party lines and get things done. we started to see that with the 150 laws that this group has passed, but there is so much distance to continue to travel, and the overall problem is

adding worse, not better. at any rate, these veterans need support and that is why we are focused on this. host: if there is a veteran considering military or political service, what is the message? guest: with her.org, this is an independent organization. if you want to understand what it takes to run, we hope you are interested and we want to be a source of knowledge and real information for you. what that you get a lot of outside organizations, particularly company is trying to make money. a lot of veterans that end up running run for their first race and it is like a suicide mission. they have no chance but people say here is a path because i will make money on it. what we try to do is say let us sit down and here is where you are with your life. does this make is

there a seat that is winnable and what are the steps to take in order to achieve that. host: with her.org, and --withonor.org. he serves as the ceo of this organization and a former u.s. marine as well. thank you. all eyes on the supreme court as the topic of the food and drug administration and the administrative -- administration of the abortion drug. that justice is set to hear a case a minute or two from now and you can follow along and listen on this channel and see it later at c-span.org and c-span now and here is a shop of some of the protesters and supporters outside. >>and i do want to get an update right now to the argument. we will be getting updates as

much as we can. but what we are seeing is oral arguments and afterwards they will to the court. i want to introduce you to our next speaker. host: usa today picks up the story for the lower court decision for president trump saying that the former president and his codefendants only need to post a 175 million dollar bond or deposit to shield assets as they appeal their fraud trial loss according to an appeals court that ruled on monday. r. trump as a scrambles to find the cash. after that letitia james could go after his assets. the defendants have a 10 days to post a bond or deposit. he has been struggling under the weight of not just that -- >> on june 24, 2022 when the supreme court -- >> we