Advocacy Events
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Washington D.C. Fly-In
In June 2025, Blue Star Families held its inaugural Fly-In, a signature advocacy event that brought our members’ voices directly to Capitol Hill. Blue Star Families (BSF) convened a delegation of chapter executive directors, military spouses, and veterans from across its chapters to Washington, D.C., for meetings with members of Congress.
The purpose of Fly-In was to elevate the lived experiences of military-connected families and to advocate for policy solutions that reflect the top concerns identified in the annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS). Prior to Hill meetings, participants received training on legislative priorities, how to effectively tell their stories, and how to engage with policymakers.
The event strengthened BSF’s relationships with congressional offices, fostered leadership among community advocates, and ensured that military and veteran families are seen, heard, and supported at the highest levels of government.
Higher Ed to the Hill
Blue Star Families, in partnership with Student Veterans of America and With Honor Action, held Do Your Part: Higher Ed to the Hill, a landmark Capitol Hill event that brought together leaders in education, student veterans, and military-connected faculty to explore how colleges and universities can better support those who serve and their families.
NDAA Showcase
The landmark Capitol HIll event convened our VSO and MSO partners and those in Congress who partnered over the previous year and a half to pass the most significant legislative package ever to improve the lives of our military families — the “Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025” (H.R. 5009).
Provisions Included:
(Informed by the Blue Star Families annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey and extensive engagement with the House Armed Services Committee’s Congressional Quality of Life Panel)
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A substantial 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted, impacting approximately 500,000 service members E-4 and below, and a 4.5% increase for the rest of the force.
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Expansion of access to and capacity of military childcare programs with childcare fee assistance programs and competitive staff salaries.
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Increase of the Basic Needs Allowance for low-income families meant to address food insecurity.
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Employment support for military spouses including expanding childcare for job searches, making professional licensure transfers easier, and codifying the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot Program.
More Advocacy Events
BSF CEO @BlueStarKRD talked about the importance of #PACTAct and suicide prevention with the VA Fox Grants
Leader Jeffries gathered BSF and other national VSO/MSOs with House Members to hear concerns from our community. BSF’s CEO, Kathy Roth-Douquet talked about the importance of PACT Act to us and the work we do on suicide prevention with the VA Fox Grants…
Kathy Roth-Douquet, Blue Star Families CEO, testifying before the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs and House Committee of Veteran Affairs
Blue Star Families CEO @BlueStarKRD is testifying before the Senate Committee of Veteran Affairs and House Committee of Veteran Affairs! Tune in to hear the critical data captured from our members…
Improving Military Families’ Access to Childcare Panel with Congressional Leaders
Chrissy Houlahan joined Blue Star Families, a nonprofit that addresses military life challenges, for a panel discussion on improving military members’ access to child care. At the panel, Chrissy shared upcoming legislation that will improve child care for our service members…
Blue Star Families Launches New Campaign — Do Your Part: For Military Families & The Common Defense
Blue Star Families rolled out its new “Do Your Part” campaign to create a national coalition supported by Craig Newmark and craig newmark philanthropies. The multi-year campaign aims to activate national and community-level responses to address pressing issues faced by military families and our common defense…
HASC Chairman Rogers reports that the Quality of Life Panel recommendations will be in 2025 NDAA
Full house here today. HASC Chairman Rogers says these quality of life recommendations will be in the House NDAA.
The Military Coalition (TMC): Lunch and Learn with Congressional leaders and staffers
#BSF is proud to join our many partners in @TheMilCoalition to send this letter to Congressional leaders seeking inclusion of critical military quality-of-life improvements in the 2025 #NDAA! https://bit.ly/3V82bmP