{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://delaney.house.gov//news/press-releases/house-updates-vfw-charter-to-reflect-service-of-women-in-the-armed-forces", "House Updates VFW Charter to Reflect Service of Women in the Armed Forces", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "John Delaney", "D000620", "delaney.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The House has passed legislation to update the federal charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to reflect the service of women in the armed forces. H.R. 5441 makes two wording changes, replacing \u201cmen\u201d with \u201cveterans\u201d and \u201cwidows\u201d with \u201csurviving spouses.\u201d The changes are supported by the VFW, whose delegates voted in support of the change at the 115th VFW National Convention, held in St. Louis earlier this year.\nThe House Resolution to amend the charter passed by voice vote Monday. \u00a0\n\u201cHundreds of thousands of women are active duty members of our armed forces, serving at home and abroad to defend our nation. Women have been a permanent part of our military since 1948 and served in both World Wars. While this update to the federal charter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars might seem minor, there\u2019s nothing small about the contribution women make each day to defending our country,\u201d said Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6). \u201cMoreover, it is with solemn reverence that we must also note that not all surviving spouses are widows. I\u2019m proud that the House has taken action in coordination with the VFW to update the language of their charter to more accurately reflect today\u2019s military and veteran community.\u201d\nThe VFW charter was signed by President Roosevelt in 1936. Women first joined the military during World War I, but after the war their service opportunity was discontinued. Women served again in World War II and Congress granted women permanent status within the armed forces in 1948.\nThe VFW\u2019s mission is, \u201cTo foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military, and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.\u201d \u00a0\n\u00a0\n##", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://delaney.house.gov//news/press-releases/house-updates-vfw-charter-to-reflect-service-of-women-in-the-armed-forces"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4708780217915773, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}