Midterms Will Decide Who Replaces Departing Veterans on Military Committees

Several of the most experienced military veterans in Congress are leaving, and Tuesday's midterm elections begin settling who takes over their oversight work, Military.com reports.

Key points

• Shrinking share: About one in six current members served in uniform, according to the Congressional Research Service, compared with roughly three in four in 1973.
• Who is leaving: At least seven veterans are not running again, among a record 55 incumbents stepping aside. They include Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Rep. Morgan Luttrell of Texas.
• Lost roles: Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, chairs the House Armed Services subcommittee covering military cyber operations, artificial intelligence and new technology. Golden cited threats to his family and "plain nastiness" in deciding to leave.
• New candidates: With Honor has tracked 752 veterans running for Congress this cycle, up 47% from 2024.
• Gavels follow the majority: Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, who chairs Senate Armed Services, would become ranking member if Democrats win the Senate.

Quick take

Military.com points out that new members start at the bottom of committee seniority, so an election cannot quickly replace the experience walking out the door. The Armed Services panels write the yearly National Defense Authorization Act and question Pentagon leaders under oath, and the Senate committee screens senior defense nominees. The outlet notes that committee assignments will be sorted out in the weeks after the vote.

Read the full story at Military.com.