Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), along with 18 colleagues, today announced the formation of the Senate Military Family Caucus - a bipartisan group that will focus on issues facing the families of active and veteran service men and women. 

“The families of America’s men and women in uniform are the backbone of our military,” Senator Burr said.  “They often sacrifice of themselves to offer the support and motivation our servicemembers need to accomplish their mission, all while living with the reality that their loved one may be in harm’s way.  There is a lot we can do for these families to ease their burden.  The Senate Military Family caucus signifies that we, as a group of Senators, recognize a need to support military families and provides an avenue to push for legislation that will benefit these families.” 

“We recognize that when a service member puts on a uniform, the entire family sacrifices for our country,” said Senator Boxer. “The Senate Military Family Caucus will put a spotlight on issues affecting our men and women in uniform and their spouses and children. Working together, we will continue to address the unique challenges military families face with childcare, education, multiple deployments, spousal employment and more.” 

The Senate Military Family Caucus will work closely with the recently formed House Congressional Military Family Caucus to improve programs and services for military families, and to focus on the unique and growing challenges they face. The Caucus aims to substantively address issues including childcare, education, employment, health care and the effects of multiple deployments on the mental health and well-being of spouses, caregivers and children.   

Along with Co-Chairs Burr and Boxer, the founding members of the Senate Military Family Caucus are Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Max Baucus (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Scott Brown (R-MA), Roland W. Burris (D-IL), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA), Kay R. Hagan (D-NC), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), John F. Kerry (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).