A Voice We Can Trust
As a young man, Jim Gilmore volunteered for the United States Army during the Vietnam Era when many people were trying to avoid military service. He graduated with honors from the Army Intelligence School and Defense Language Institute and he was placed in the 650th Military Intelligence Group stationed in Germany.
As a soldier in Western Europe, Jim Gilmore was assigned to a counter-intelligence unit where he worked to help protect and safeguard our bases. He was later awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
After his service in the U.S. Army, Jim Gilmore received a law degree at the University of Virginia and received assistance as a result of the G.I. Bill.
As Governor of Virginia, Jim Gilmore reduced Virginia taxes on active duty, junior military personnel. Later he was appointed Chairman of the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction which came to be known as the Gilmore Commission from 1999 – 2003.
The Gilmore Commission presented five reports to Congress and Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and warned of a possible terrorist attack on the U.S. before 9/11. After 9/11 Congress adopted 146 of the Gilmore Commissions 164 recommendations for improving our national security.
In his term as Governor, Jim Gilmore dealt with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 when the Pentagon was struck. He deployed the Virginia National Guard and other first responders to secure our critical infrastructure and protect our citizens.
Jim Gilmore’s knowledge of homeland security has been recognized by countless elected officials, pundits and media outlets. The Atlanta Journal stated in 2007, “The government’s failure to heed the prescient work product of Gilmore’s commission allowed major systemic weaknesses in our defenses to continue, which in turn improved the chances for success by the Sept. 11 terrorists.” The article also said, “[Jim Gilmore] was a leader in the field before half the country became armchair anti-terrorism experts.”
Whether as a soldier, elected official or private citizen, Gilmore has been at the forefront of efforts to improve America’s homeland security. As a United States Senator, we can count on Jim Gilmore to be there for our troops and our security.
Fighting For Those Who Fight For Us
Modernizing & Expanding the GI Bill As a beneficiary of the GI Bill, Jim Gilmore understands the importance of offering a first-class education to those who put themselves in harm’s way. As a U.S. Senator, Jim Gilmore will work to modernize the GI Bill and enact comprehensive reforms to support the men and women of our Armed Forces.
Increasing Benefits for Military Families As Governor, Jim Gilmore dramatically cut taxes for many military families in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a U.S. Senator, Jim Gilmore will work to reduce economic burdens and provide quality healthcare for those at home and abroad.
Protecting Those in Harm’s Way Jim Gilmore believes we must give our troops the necessary tools and protection before sending them into harm’s way. As a U.S. Senator, Jim Gilmore will work tirelessly to ensure that our troops are given the proper resources before they are deployed on active duty.
Ensuring a Strong National Defense The threat we face today from enemies abroad is different than any other in our history. As a U.S. Senator, Jim Gilmore will work to modernize and recapitalize our Armed Forces while working to ensure our operational commitments do not overextend our military personnel.
Achieving Energy Independence To increase the supply of oil and bring gas prices down, Jim Gilmore believes we must drill for oil in the U.S. to increase our production so that we can begin to immediately bring down gas prices and not be held hostage by hostile nations and greedy oil speculators.
Reducing the Tax Burden on Working Families Jim Gilmore cut taxes $1.5 billion for Virginia’s working families and will fight for lower taxes in Washington. As a U.S. Senator he will work to reduce the cost of government by eliminating earmarks and pork barrel spending.