WHICH POLITICAL PARTY SUPPORTS THE MILITARY?
Throughout any political spectrum, there are going to be similarities and differences on each issue, including the military. Points of view may change when it comes to policy, such as being pro-deployment within a political party but then voicing for the troops to be brought home once the war has gone on for a while. You may find leaders discussing differing opinions on defense budgets, military policies within each branch, benefits for Veterans, etc. However, pinpointing which political party supports the military may be more complex than you think for a few important reasons. Still, recent years have shown contrasting policies from the Democratic and Republican parties aimed at Veterans and active duty members of the military community.
How Each Political Party Supports the Military
You’ll find political support for the military on both sides of the aisle with various policies finding bipartisan support to become a reality.Here’s a closer look at how each of the two major parties have proposed policies that support service members and Veterans:
Another notable difference between the two parties in recent years can be found among the leadership in the VA during the Trump and Biden administrations.The Trump administration had much more turnover in the position of VA secretary compared to the Biden administration; however, the Democratic leader did have more turnover in leadership lower down the line.At the end of the day, because our nation has checks and balances in place among the three branches of government, many bills receive bipartisan support, one way or another.Furthermore, bills that may pass a Democratic House of Representatives can fall apart in the Senate if it’s controlled by Republicans, and vice versa.Overall, the way our government is structured along with the laws in place to protect the military from major political influence from any party means both sides often compromise on stances.Each party often reaches across the aisle in an attempt to find common ground and support the military in their own way.
Is the Military Economic or Political?
The DoD works hard to ensure that the military remains neither economic nor political.Anyone can have an opinion as to which political party is a supporter of the military. However, both of the major two parties in America, along with many smaller parties, support our nation’s service members in their own way.That last part is particularly important because politicians can’t outwardly support the military like civilians.In fact, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or the federal government civilian employees as a whole, will also face limitations.To some, this may feel like a violation of the First Amendment, yet, the law has provided guidelines to help protect the rights of speech among Americans, as well as anyone’s right to vote for their candidate of choice.But how you go about it is going to be a bit different if you are a politician, contractor, or even an active duty service member.While the apolitical side of things, along with the economic side in some industries, may spill over, there are specific guidelines everyone must follow to avoid major violations.Military guidelines affect those serving and working for the DoD; however, politicians are bound by the Hatch Act as a way to stifle influential support in the political arena.
The Hatch Act
It’s not the job of politicians to encourage certain workplace incentives regarding political situations, including the military, which is where the Hatch Act comes into play.This includes directly working to influence elections to “liking” a post on Facebook. Or, this could mean endorsing your favorite politicians while on the clock as a federal employee.Furthermore, the law is in place to avoid potential favoritism and influence among political leaders involving the military.Again, the military is apolitical. However, politicians are to also refrain from doing things that may influence for or against the American Armed Forces in favor of their platform, campaign, or party.
Political Campaigns and Supporting the Military
While not everyone shares the same political views, it’s clear that multiple political parties in the United States continue to support the brave people serving who keep us all free.However, there still remain guidelines and regulations as to how everyone shows their support on the political stage.Talking about the issues from a campaign point of view, including at debates and through advertisements, can still be a part of the process, so long as they are done appropriately.The election cycle continues to heat up. Thus, it’s important to remember that both Democrats and Republicans support the military in their own way, remaining within the guidelines afforded to them while taking on public service.Sources:DoD Standards of Conduct Office, Political Activities. Accessed August 2024. https://dodsoco.ogc.osd.mil/DoD-Personnel/Ethics-Topics-for-DoD-Personnel/Political-Activities/Hatch Act Overview, OSC. Accessed August 2024. https://osc.gov/Services/Pages/HatchAct.aspxSuggested reads:
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