Kaine responded:

No state is more closely connected to the military than Virginia. As the father of a Marine, I know firsthand that military families, veterans, and service members face unique challenges and need leaders who understand them. That’s why I’ve made it a top priority in the Senate to support veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

In 2022, I helped pass the PACT Act, which expanded health care and benefits through the VA to toxic-exposed veterans and marked the largest expansion of VA health care in nearly 30 years. I have also passed legislation to ease servicemembers’ transition into the civilian workforce by helping them use the skills they developed in the military to obtain a workforce credential to help them get a good job, and help remove barriers to maternal and postpartum mental health care in the military. Last month, I cosponsored legislation to help end homelessness among veterans by guaranteeing access to a housing voucher for all veterans who need it and protecting veteran families using a voucher from facing housing discrimination.

Additionally, I worked to pass the Brandon Act to provide servicemembers with key mental health support by empowering them to get the help they need confidentially. The legislation was named in honor of Brandon Caserta, who died by suicide in 2018 while he was stationed at Naval Station Norfolk. I continue to relentlessly advocate for DOD to fully implement this law.

Cao responded:

Veterans’ issues will always be near and dear to my heart as a twenty-five year Navy combat veteran who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Our servicemembers and veterans deserve to have access to appropriate and timely healthcare, and mental health services. The idea that we are feeding and clothing illegal aliens while 80,000 of our veterans are homeless on the streets makes my blood boil. Our men and women in uniform deserve to have a Commander-in-Chief and Congress which supports their efforts across the globe. We continue to fight a proxy war in Ukraine without robust debate about the financial burden or national security implications to our country. Americans deserve to know from the Administration the desired end-state. Our military must have the resources it needs to face growing instability around the world. Right now, we face abysmal recruiting numbers and deficits in overall readiness. This is a leadership problem first and foremost and our active duty servicemembers deserve better. Make no mistake, as your United States Senator, I will work to ensure our veterans receive the resources and support that they deserve.

Anderson responded:

Vindman responded:

As a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army, and the husband of a current U.S. Army Reservist, I don’t just appreciate the unique needs of our veteran population—I’ve lived them. The servicemen and women who’ve dedicated their lives to protecting our country and our freedoms deserve leaders who are focused on following through on the solemn duty to our veterans, not just using them as props for their political gains. In Congress, I will:

First, I will protect the existing, hard-earned benefits of veterans from attacks from MAGA extremists. The Project 2025 blueprint for a MAGA-controlled federal government has proposed slashing funding for veterans’ healthcare and housing programs, and cutting dual compensation benefits for disabled vets. It also has proposed replacing the career civil servants at the VA—men and women who have decades of experience—with partisan actors who don’t know the first thing about delivering for our veterans. If elected, I will fight tooth and nail to stop this extreme agenda and ensure that there are no cuts to existing programs to support our veteran community.

Second, I will build on recent bipartisan progress, such as the landmark PACT Act that veterans have fought for decades to make a reality. The PACT Act has meant that millions of veterans previously denied care can now access their hard-earned benefits without having to fight tooth and nail to prove their eligibility. In Congress, I will work to both ensure this legislation is effectively implemented by the VA and build on it so we can ensure that no veteran’s legitimate claims are doubted or turned away when they go to seek vital medical benefits.

Last, if I am elected, I will fight to secure the necessary resources to provide holistic support to our veterans. From guaranteeing funding for job training and placement support, to providing funding for home ownership to end the crisis of veteran homelessness, expanding physical and mental health support, and promoting increased qualified professional staffing at VA hospitals and outpatient centers. As your Congressman, I will ensure our veterans are supported and cared for across Virginia, and the country. I also know that more funding alone is not enough to solve these problems. In Congress, I will demand increased oversight so that problems are addressed and not simply swept under the rug.

Serving for 25 years in the Army was the honor of my life, and I can think of no mission more important than ensuring our nation upholds the solemn responsibility we have to our veterans. My brothers and sisters in uniform had my back for 25 years, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will have theirs.

Kaine responded:

For my entire career, I’ve rolled my sleeves up and worked across the aisle to do what’s best for Virginia. Whether it be working with a Republican-controlled legislature to increase Pre-K enrollment when I was Governor, working with the Trump administration to strengthen our Navy and bolster Virginia’s shipbuilding industry, working with Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to save lives by raising the federal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, or working with the Biden administration and Senators from both parties to rebuild our infrastructure and bring good-paying jobs to Virginia — I am willing to partner with anyone if it means delivering for Virginians. We need more leaders in elected office who work together to pursue common-sense solutions.

Cao responded:

When I was in the Navy, I wasn’t thinking about Republicans or Democrats. I was defending the freedoms of all Americans. I will do the same in the United States Senate. For far too long, Washington DC has been broken. Our elected representatives don’t get things done on behalf of the people who sent them there, and they stay far too long on our dime. I’ll work with anyone in Congress, regardless of party, if they share our goals of securing the border, lowering prices, and preserving the freedom of Virginians to live as they choose.

Anderson responded:

I strongly believe that country comes before political party. During my time as a Green Beret, no one cared about political affiliation, and I’ll take that same approach to representing you in Congress. In contrast, my opponent is a down-the-line partisan. That’s one reason why he won’t debate me on TV – his positions are mired in the failures of the past, while I’ll work with anyone to improve the future of people in my home district. For example: I’ll work to get costs down; he’ll continue the same inflationary spending policies. High gas and grocery prices affect everyone regardless of political affiliation or beliefs, so that’s what I’m focused on. I will meet with anyone and talk about any issues in any setting. That’s how I campaign and that’s how I’ll operate in Congress, because I am there to serve the entire 7th district, no matter what party affiliation.

Vindman responded:

In my 25 years in the Army, I worked with folks of every race, religion, class, and educational level. In every instance, there was far more that we had in common than what made us different. As a paratrooper it never mattered if the soldier standing next to me on a jump was a Democrat or Republican, we saw the mission through. Labels just get in the way.

I’ve brought this same mission-first focus to my campaign for Congress, and every day out on the trail reaffirms to me that there will always be more that unites us than what divides us. I’m willing to work with anyone that will help move our community forward.

On this campaign, I have gone everywhere. I’ve joined Sunday services in one-room churches in rural Spotsylvania, toured immigrant-owned grocery stores in Prince William, knocked on doors in the Piedmont, attended NASCAR races in Spotsy and rodeos in Culpeper, chatted with folks at Black barber shops, and visited family farms. At every event I attend or voter I meet with, I listen more than talk. Frankly, that’s where I get some great ideas, from regular folks.

In Congress, I pledge to be a fighter for every person who calls our community their home, not just those who voted for me. I will work across the aisle to protect our freedoms, lower costs, and make it easier for middle-class families to thrive. I will keep visiting every corner of this district, holding accessible town halls, and making sure my office is working to deliver for Virginians.

This is my home. My wife and I are raising our two kids in public schools here. I’ll never stop fighting for our community.