Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/qS8GiqNrWQU

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and over 120 veterans from across the country for a virtual town hall on U.S. global leadership and the future of national security. Discussions highlighted a general consensus among veterans on the importance of investments in U.S. diplomacy and development in advancing our country’s national security.

“The future of our national security is on the line, and as our bipartisan Future of Defense Task Force Report makes plain, we will lose if we don’t make dramatic changes,” said U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton. “What’s at stake is not just America’s leadership, but the future of a free and democratic world order, since it’s clear our adversaries like communist China do not share our values. Nobody wants to prevent war for the next generation of Americans more than today’s generation of veterans, and our report lays out a path forward to ensure the future of peace by securing the future of our defense.”

Congressman Moulton recently co-authored the Future of Defense Task Force report with Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN), which examined future threats to U.S national security and offered recommendations for how to build up our defense capabilities—specifically calling out the need for “a whole-of-government approach to national security led by diplomacy and economic cooperation, supported by development and humanitarian assistance, and strengthened by military-to-military relationships.”

Today’s online event happened at a time when policymakers are considering next steps in our country’s response to the pandemic, both at home and abroad – including resources for the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

“As a Marine Corps veteran, Congressman Moulton speaks firsthand to why we need to invest in all our tools of national security — diplomacy and development, alongside defense — to combat today’s emerging threats,” said Sean Sorbie, USGLC Director of Veterans Outreach. “As we heard earlier, the congressman gets that diplomacy and foreign assistance play a critical role in strengthening our national security and protecting Americans and their families.”

Most of today’s participants are active members of the USGLC’s Veterans for Smart Power, a strong and growing network of over 30,000 veterans who understand the importance of U.S. diplomacy and development, alongside defense, to help keep our country strong and safe.