Newsbytes January 3, 2025 

In this Issue: 
2025 FRA Legislative Survey 
Death of President Jimmy Carter 
119th Congress Speaker Election 
Veterans in the 119th Congress 
 

Make Your Voice Heard: Take the 2025 FRA Military & Veteran Benefits Survey 
The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is dedicated to representing the concerns of military personnel and their families on Capitol Hill. To better understand what benefits matter most to you, we invite active duty and Reserve personnel, retirees, veterans, and their spouses to participate in our brief online survey. 

This is your chance to share your opinions on the programs and benefits that impact your quality of life. Your responses will help the FRA advocate effectively for your priorities during Congressional hearings, meetings with lawmakers, and discussions with leaders in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs. 

Why Participate? 

Influence decisions on military and veteran benefits. 

Ensure your voice is heard by policymakers. 

Support initiatives that enhance quality of life for service members and their families. 

Take a few minutes to share your perspective and help shape the future of military and veteran support programs. 

👉 Access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XNW6BBT 

Your input makes a difference—thank you for your service and for sharing your thoughts! 

The White House: A Proclamation Announcing the Death of James Earl Carter, Jr.   
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES: 

It is my solemn duty to announce officially the death of James Earl Carter, Jr., the thirty-ninth President of the United States, on December 29, 2024. 

President Carter was a man of character, courage, and compassion, whose lifetime of service defined him as one of the most influential statesmen in our history.  He embodied the very best of America:  A humble servant of God and the people.  A heroic champion of global peace and human rights, and an honorable leader whose moral clarity and hopeful vision lifted our Nation and changed our world. 

The son of a farmer and a nurse, President Carter’s remarkable career in public service began in 1943 as a cadet at the United States Naval Academy.  He later served in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets before becoming a decorated lieutenant and being selected to join the elite nuclear submarine program. 

After his father died, he shifted from active duty to the Navy Reserve and returned home to Plains, Georgia, to help manage his family’s peanut farm.  He worked hard stewarding the land while leading his community as a church deacon, Sunday school teacher, and board member of a hospital and library.  His deep faith inspired a passion for public service that led him to be elected State Senator, Georgia’s 76th Governor, and ultimately President of the United States.  

As President, he understood that Government must be as good as its people — and his faith in the people was boundless just as his belief in America was limitless and his hope for our common future was perennial. 

With President Carter’s leadership, the modern Department of Education and the Department of Energy were created.  He championed conservation, and his commitment to a more just world was at the heart of his foreign policy, leading on nuclear nonproliferation, signing the Panama Canal treaties, and mediating the historic 1978 Camp David Accords.  His partnership with Vice President Walter Mondale is one that future administrations strived to achieve. 

Following his Presidency, President Carter advanced an agenda that elevated the least among us.  Guided by an unwavering belief in the power of human goodness and the God‑given dignity of every human being, he worked tirelessly around the globe to broker peace; eradicate disease; house the homeless; and protect human rights, freedom, and democracy. 

119th Congress Speaker Election 
Mike Johnson is facing a challenging battle to retain his role as Speaker of the House, despite receiving public support and endorsement from President-Elect Donald Trump. Opposition within the Republican Party, including dissent from figures such as Rep. Thomas Massie, makes Johnson’s re-election anything but guaranteed. 

For the military community—veterans, active-duty service members and their families—Johnson’s position as speaker carries significant weight. The speaker’s role in determining which legislation advances directly influences critical issues such as veterans' benefits, health care and support systems. Johnson’s legislative record reflects both progress and missed opportunities. For example, his support for the Forever GI Bill was a win for expanding educational opportunities for veterans, but his opposition to the PACT Act, which enhances health care for those exposed to toxic substances during service, raises concerns for many veteran service organizations, including FRA.  

Adding to the complexity is the narrow Republican majority in the House. Johnson cannot afford to lose support from more than a handful of party members. This delicate political arithmetic puts his position at risk and could result in delays or compromises on legislation crucial to the military community. Any perceived lack of progress could strain the relationship between veterans' organizations and Congress. 

As Congress prepares for a new legislative session, Johnson’s re-election bid will serve as a key indicator of Republican cohesion under Trump’s influence. The outcome will not only shape the legislative priorities for military families but also define the broader dynamics between veterans' advocacy groups and the legislative branch for years to come. 

No matter the outcome of the House Speaker elections, FRA remains dedicated to improving the quality of life for service members and their families, as well as protecting the benefits of veterans and their loved ones.

Veterans in the 119th Congress: Influencing Military and Veteran Legislation 
The 119th U.S. Congress, convening on January 3, 2025, includes 100 military veterans—the largest number in eight years. With 20 in the Senate and 80 in the House, their collective experience promises to shape national security, defense policies, and veterans’ affairs. 

Veterans in Congress represent various service branches: 

Army: 46 members 

Navy: 25 members 

Air Force: 16 members 

Marine Corps: 13 members 

This diverse background ensures a comprehensive approach to defense and military readiness. Additionally, nine women veterans—the highest number ever—highlight progress in gender representation. 

The veteran group consists of 28 Democrats and 72 Republicans. Historically, veterans have prioritized collaboration on national security and veterans’ welfare, leading to successful legislation on healthcare access, mental health services, and family support. 

Roughly one-third of these lawmakers began their military careers post-2000, bringing recent combat insights, while 21 served before 1980, offering historical perspectives. This generational mix enriches debates and ensures a balanced approach to military challenges. 

Veterans have a proven record of influencing policies on healthcare, mental health, and transition support for service members. Post-9/11 veterans, in particular, have demonstrated effectiveness in crafting impactful, bipartisan legislation. 

The strong veteran presence in the 119th Congress underscores a continued focus on defense and veterans’ issues. Their shared commitment to service offers hope for unity and meaningful legislative progress for the military community.