Jill Biden delivered a speech at a White House ceremony emphasizing the importance of allowing federal employees who are military spouses to work from overseas, describing it as a “national security imperative” that is long overdue. She hosted the ceremony alongside Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, who signed a permanent memorandum of agreement between their departments to ease approvals of remote work for these employees through the Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas program. This initiative was part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to support military families, outlined in an executive order signed in June at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, and is connected to Jill Biden’s work with Joining Forces, a White House initiative supporting military and veteran families.
Jill Biden shared that she had spoken with military spouses about their experiences and relayed their stories to her husband, President Joe Biden, who then took action. Part of the executive order highlighted by the first lady involved allowing military spouses who work for the federal government to take their jobs with them when their spouse is deployed overseas. She commended the signing of the agreement between the Department of Defense and the Department of State, stating that it was a common-sense and long-overdue step to support military families. Jill Biden emphasized that military spouses, who serve the country without wearing a uniform, also deserve support from the government, as they play a crucial role in maintaining the national security of the United States.
During the ceremony, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma signed the agreement in front of an audience predominantly comprised of female attendees. The first lady highlighted the sacrifices and contributions of military spouses, pointing out that they play a vital role in supporting service members and the nation as a whole. Military spouses are often faced with challenges such as high unemployment rates, with a current rate of 21% that has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. Despite these challenges, more than 16,000 military, veteran, and surviving spouses are employed across federal departments and agencies, underscoring the importance of providing support and opportunities for these individuals.
Jill Biden underscored the significance of supporting military families as part of the national security strategy, stating that forcing service members to choose between their love of country and their families can jeopardize the principle of an all-volunteer military. She highlighted the need to provide the necessary support to allow service members and their families to fulfill their duties and commitments without facing undue challenges. The first lady emphasized that it is not only a moral obligation but also a national security imperative to ensure that military spouses are supported and provided with opportunities to thrive and contribute to the country.
In addition to her formal remarks, Jill Biden injected humor into the ceremony by joking about her own experience as a working spouse of a government employee. She mentioned that she teaches English and writing two days a week at Northern Virginia Community College, highlighting her own commitment to pursuing her career while supporting her husband’s role as President. The first lady’s remarks and the signing of the agreement between the Department of Defense and the Department of State underscored the administration’s commitment to supporting military families and recognizing the essential role played by military spouses in protecting the national security interests of the United States. By providing opportunities for these individuals to work remotely from overseas, the government aims to ease the burden on military families and ensure that they receive the support they need to thrive.
