Marine veteran’s nonprofit aims to address ‘polarization’ in Congress

Rye Barcott founded the nonprofit With Honor Action as a way to promote and advance principled veteran leadership in elected public service. The U.S. Marine Corps veteran with tours in Iraq, Bosnia and the Horn of Africa said he feels his organization’s mission is now more important than ever.

“(With Honor) is focused on tackling what I think is maybe the largest problem that we face at least in this town, if not our country, which is the polarization and dysfunction of our Congress,” Barcott told attendees at The American Legion’s Washington Conference on Feb. 28. “What we’ve done organizationally is we’ve helped support, recruit, train, elect principled veterans … who’ve taken a pledge to serve across party lines, and serve with integrity, civility and courage.”

Barcott said With Honor Action has helped support around 30 members of Congress who participate in the For Country Caucus, a nonpartisan platform for veterans serving the House. But the total number of veterans serving in Congress is a concern for Barcott.

“Not long ago, Congress used to be about 70 percent veterans. Now, we’re right around the 20 percent mark,” he said. “But why does that matter? Obviously, it matters because it is a common bond. It is service. And if you’re going to run again or want to serve again, you need to have a service mentality in this type of work – especially if you’re going to be committed to getting things done.”

One of With Honor Action’s mission is passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide Afghan allies who assisted U.S. forces during the Global War on Terror with a more streamlined and efficient lawful permanent residency process.

“Our linguists, whether in Afghanistan or Iraq, were the most dangerous jobs next to our brave (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) guys,” Barcott said. “They were our partners. Now many of them are in a legal limbo. That’s not right, and (the Afghan Adjustment Act) is a way to adjust it. We’re going to push on that, and we’re going to get that thing done this year, God willing.”

Barcott said at his organization’s annual conference, he was approached and asked what With Honor Action’s special interest was. “Our special interest is the United States of America,” he said. “That’s what our special interest is. And that’s what (the Legion’s) special interest is. And that’s why I’m proud to be a lifelong Legionnaire.”