Cspan. Inues. Host we are back with will goodwin, the Government Relations director of his organization. Good morning. Is. T, tell us what votevets we represent more than 700,000 mentor members across the country committed to using our voices and perspectives as people who have served and families who have served to help build a better, stronger, and more just america. We do that by electing democratic veterans to office. We help elevate National Security and veterans issues. And we advocate on behalf of our members here in washington to help in that progressive, National Security, and veterans policy. Host where you get your funding . Guest we receive funding from a Broad Coalition of folks. Donations,ve larger and a lot of grassroots supporters. More than a hundred thousand have helped us raise several million dollars. Its all people who believe that the veteran perspective matters, and military families on both sides of the isles have not had their voices heard in american politics in a way they should have. If we elevate those voices not only do we bring in that kind of shared service perspective, people who have served with folks across the country who understand what it is like to rely on fellow Service Members , is a healthyife perspective to elevate in our politics. And the issues that matter to veterans, military families, would receive the attention that they deserve. Looking at the warring afghan against the war in afghanistan, continuing to support veteran programs. The more we elected to office, the better life will be for everyone who has worn a uniform. Host does your group only support Democratic Candidates or is it a multiparty . Guest we support democrats who are running. There are good stats report groups that support republican veterans. Organizehe issues we around are aligned with allies on democratic on the democratic side and progressives because we believe that those are in line with the needs of veterans and their families. Strengthening labor, ensuring that v. A. Employees are receiving the training and benefits they deserve helps deliver better care to veterans of all political affiliations. Thats one example of how we operate. Host recently, your group endorsed mayor Pete Buttigieg for the democratic president ial nomination, what makes him the best choice for the white house . Guest we were excited about this. The first time we have endorsed in a president ial primary, because mayor pete has served, we believe hes ready to lead on we are excited about the generational change he represents. And the vision he is laying out not only to defeat donald trump in november but to move the country forward, pass this fractured moment in history. As i mentioned, we believe that electing veterans brings people into office who have a shared understanding of their fellow american, and who have served the country before and have put country over party because the Mission Comes first for those who serve in the u. S. Military. With pete, we are also excited about the vision hes laid out for the future. Not just the selection but the decisions that we make in the next four years and how that affects the next 40. Its an inspirational, aspirational message that we believe will help here at home but also will help restore americas place in the world. We are excited about that, and it matters to our members. Who better to end the war in afghanistan than someone who has served in it . Who better to care for veterans than somebody who wore the uniform . We are excited to be on team pete, we will help win the primary and support him as he wins the general election in november. Host another candidate for the democratic nomination, Tulsi Gabbard had support. How difficult was the choice buttigieg . Bard and guest shes an example of the work weve been doing since 2006, going into democratic primaries were a veteran candidate may not have the institutional backing that other candidates have, and helping them win and make it through the general election. But one of the important questions for us is is the person in a position to come out and win the contest . In this case, mayor pete is in the top tier, hes in a fourway tossup race to be the democratic nominee. And our support could really make a difference and the voices of our members can make a difference in this primary. To theadnt come decision of we will endorsed . Is it a vote by the members . Is it made by the executive council . One of the things that makes us unique is that we have a shared set of values. Similar to when folks serve in the military. Our members who participate in a variety of ways, from contributing to the organization and engaging with us on social most with one of the Robust NationalMedia Security presence on the internet, they buy into those decisions that way. But just because of the way that these decisions were, unfortunately, we cannot hold a vote on something of this magnitude. But thats our job, to take the needs and the concerns of our members across the country and weigh them against whats happening in a political race and make an endorsement. We have been thrilled by how supportive our members are of this decision. Some of them are supporting other candidates for the nomination, but when they talk to us about that they understand this endorsement, and even if they are supporting another candidate, they want to see a veteran who is young, who has served overseas as part of the conversation. I think we are excited. Host lets let our viewers take part in this conversation. We are opening special lines this morning for this conversation. Our first line is for veterans, if you are a veteran of the u. S. Armed forces we want to hear from you especially, your number. S 202 7488000 we will open another line for active military, if you are an active member of our u. S. Armed forces, we want to open a special line to you, that line is 202 7488001. If you are not a veteran and not in active military service, we still want to hear from you, if you do not fit in those first two categories your number is 202 7488002. Once again veterans, 202 7488000. Ctive military, 202 7488001. Veryone else, 202 7488002 and we are always reading your 202 7488003. You can also reach us on social media, on twitter and facebook. Will, what you think is the most important issue that veterans see in this upcoming democratic primary, then in the general election . Guest i think there are a lot of issues that matter to veterans, servicemembers members, and their families. A couple of that to buckets. On the National Security front, we saw some shocking revelations about the or in afghanistan. The war in afghanistan. That senior political and sendmatic officials americans to fight in afghanistan despite believing its unwinnable. Bringing that war to an end is a top priority and has been since we have been founded. We are concerned about the rest of the picture with National Security. President trump has taken actions that have destabilized things in iran, and he walked away from the Iran Nuclear Deal that was helping us to prevent iran from developing a nuclear weapon. We fought hard in this last congress to make clear that the take americated to towards offense of military action with iran, he needs authorization to do so. When we look at the veterans and military family picture, primitive Veterans Affairs has been weak and since President Trump has come into office. He is allowed political appointee warfare, chaos, and failed nominations to come before veteran care. We dont need leaders who are going to go against veterans and try to dismantle the v. A. We need leaders who strengthen the v. A. Who help fill a provider shortage, to address the veteran suicide epidemic that continues to grow year over year. And when it comes to military families, President Trump has used military families to fulfill his own domestic political aims. Taking money away from military Construction Projects for schools and classrooms to build his racist border wall. Its also targeting individuals like the transgender Service Members. Thousands of them and their families thrown into disarray for no reason because of the president s hate. And immigrant serving in the military left to worry about the citizenship status of their children, born while they are stationed overseas. Of issues wide bucket that matter to veteran Service Members and their families. Our job is to elevate them and make them part of the conversation because democrats need to talk about this issue. We need to talk about this once we win the white house back and everyone should be talking about those issues from a position of strength. Of theets look at one advertisements running right now. Lets take a quick look. [video clip] hes been called one of the most effective members of the u. S. Senate. He served in the navy reserve and after the september 11 attacks volunteered to serve again. Gary peters voted to get our troops the payraise they deserved and worked to keep it safe. We should not even be thinking about democratic ideas and republican ideas, just ideas that are good for the country. And ideas that are great for michigan. Thanked gary peters and tell him to keep fighting for michigan. Host tell us about that ad. Guest this is a great example of taking an elected official who has served, gary peters, and talking about how he has worked in the senate on issues. Example substantive at ad example. Issues like the environment, and helping a leader like him, who is facing a tough reelection. , he is veteran representing progressive National Security and veterans values. Host lets let our viewers take part in this conversation. Lets talk to dr. Butler, from portsmouth, virginia, dr. Butler is a veteran. Good morning. Caller good morning. Im calling about access to medical care. Virginia has a tax credit, not a tax deduction, for doctors, dentists, and lawyers help indigent people. If this were to be adopted not only by the other states and commonwealths, but also by the congress, it would help everybody in our country. This issue is parallel to what you just mentioned, which is the state of the v. A. Hospitals, and the question of whether to have a separate system or not is a about which im not an expert to comment. But i have been treated at both private hospitals and the v. A. , and im pleased with the care in both systems. But this virginia law as a good thing for all americans, it helps everyone of us to get the care we need. Thank you dr. Butler for your service. You raise some good points. When it comes to caring for veterans, this is about everyone working together. That means the federal government, state government, those of us in the community and those of us no longer serving. One of the reasons that the v. A. System is so important is because often times, when veterans experience medical conditions that are connected to their service, those are externalities that may not be recognized by a doctor who is not used to treating a patient who served in the military. So somebody comes in with a , and the v. A. Doctor is able to connect that back to agent orange exposure in vietnam, ensuring the veteran is receiving care at the expense of the federal government because its connected to their service. You bring up great points about caring for veterans and strengthening the v. A. System. It should be important to all of us the selection. Gave once again, votevets an endorsement to mayor Pete Buttigieg. One of the things that Pete Buttigieg has a doubt is a 21 page plan for democratic veterans. The Las Vegas Review journal actually covered some of this, im going to read a little bit on what it says. The 21 page plan includes well covered ground within the democratic field, including increased funding for the department of Veterans Affairs, simplifying the benefits process , improving access to Vocational Training in Mental Health services, and ending the transgender military band, but it also addresses more specific issues that buttigieg says he noticed during his service in the navy like improving the quality and availability of childcare on basis, elevating more women to officer positions, and increasing rights were military members. Whats her reaction to the plan that mayor Pete Buttigieg will put in place if he becomes president . We think he has a great plan for americas military families. Thats where it starts, how we treat people while they are serving on active duty. When we look at the family issues that people face during service, access to childcare is a huge one. Making sure that families with special care special Needs Children can receive the educational and health care that those children need on their base or nearby. It is important that mayor pete is broadening this conversation and bringing military family issues into the fold and talking about how we care for the people who serve our country. Fundamentally, personnel is everything when it comes to the strength of the military. Strongitary is only us is only as strong as the family members and Service Members who serve your after year. This is important and we are excited to see it. And its a 21 page plan, mayor pete wants to get specific and talk about what he will do when hes the democratic nominee and president of the United States. That matters to Service Members and their family their families. John, activealk to military from washington, d. C. , whats your branch . Guest im in the army. I dont want to blow your mind too much, but i think you are the Regimental Commander when i was a cadet at west point. But thats not what im calling about. I just finished reading general jim mattiss book, he writes a lot about how the United States gas been receiving recedin from its leadership roles in international institution, he writes about the Obama Administration and the United States taking a step back when we did not act on the redline in syria. But he also outlines what seems to be going on in the current administration, where the United States has been very critical and not supportive of some of our most important institutions like nato. Im curious on what votevets, or where mayor pete stands on our involvement on the global stages. As a member of the military im concerned about us taking a leadership role and working with allies. Guest absolutely. Thank you for your question. Important Football Game happening in philadelphia that army is going to win. Host whats the score going to be . Somethingy form the fortysomething, navy zero. But this is an important question john. The experiment works the other way with President Trump, who does not understand the importance of alliances, standing up for our friends, and how to use the entirety of the National Security toolkit at the president s disposal. When we talk about heathers Big Decisions on the world stage affect military leaders, mattis himself and others have said that when we cut money from the state department budget, when we dont invest in diplomacy and aid, we are saying we are going to buy more bullets and employ foru. S. Military to step in the reasons that the situation surrounding impeachment and with the president in ukraine is so problematic. Because we use military aid, and diplomacy, to make sure the u. S. Military does not have to get engaged in those conflicts. That is something mayor pete has talked about, restoring americas role in the world. And other Democratic Candidates have done the same. We need to get back to the place where we value our allies, and where the president demands enough respect that hes not being left out of overseas conferences like we saw just last week in europe. That restoration of American Leadership on the world stage is important and has a direct impact on the lives of people like you were serving our country, and the families who serve with you. Thank you. Host lets talk to tonya, from west point, georgia, shes a veteran. Good morning. Caller good morning. Beingl for veterans president because we need to reestablish our respect on the world stage. But the questions that pete iftigieg has not answered, you could answer the questions on how blacks were treated in his state. But im all for veteran, because we have always needed a veteran to be president and represent the world on the world stage. Thank you. Guest thank you for the question. I think anybody who has been watching this campaign over the last several months has seen mayor pete making a concerted effort to go meet with africanamerican elected officials and voters to hear about the issues that matter to them, their priorities, and he is explaining the policies he has laid out to make sure that all american are all americans are represented by our president. Thats part of the way the system is built, we expect our elected officials to represent the interests of their fellow citizens who come from different life experiences, or have a different perspective. If the job of candidates and elected leaders to show that they can empathize with people who may not have the same experience that they did. Thats true for mayor pete as he works to build relationships with africanamerican voters, but thats the same concept, Elizabeth Warren needs to represent the needs of lg tv b americans, etc. We are excited about expanding h