The Few and the Proud: Veterans in Congress on Defense Issues
Abstract
Since 1982, the number of veterans serving in Congress has declined rapidly, resulting in the fewest number of veterans in Congress since 1945. While there is not universal agreement on the impact, there are fears that fewer veterans compromise Congress' ability to execute legislative responsibilities for military expenditures and policy. With the largest influx of post-9/11 veterans yet, this study explored the views of veterans in Congress on defense spending and the war in Afghanistan through the statistical examination of pre-election issue survey results and content analysis of political communications. This study demonstrated military experience matters less in general than party affiliation and constituency concerns, and confirmed the trends noted by commentators of the increasing Republican and conservative leanings of veterans in Congress. While party affiliation and constituency concerns consistently proved more influential and colored political rhetoric, military experience appeared causal in the percentage of greater opposition to defense spending cuts and increased support for the war in Afghanistan among veterans in Congress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA601503
Entities
People
- Angelina M. Maguinness
Organizations
- Marine Corps University