In a recent video address, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody took a moment to honor the servicemen and women on Veterans Day, expressing her gratitude for their sacrifices in defense of the nation’s freedoms. Senator Moody, who's home state of Florida boasts a veteran population exceeding 1.5 million, attended a pinning ceremony in Sarasota where she recognized Vietnam-era veterans for their service. “This Veterans Day, please join me in thanking the valiant men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces, including the more than 1.5 million that call Florida home. The rights and freedom we enjoy today were secured through the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of these patriots. Through their devoted service, our great American experiment continues,” Senator Moody said, as noted by the press release.
Throughout her tenure, Senator Moody has shown a consistent commitment to military and veteran-related issues. One of her notable efforts includes cosponsoring the Military Spouse Hiring Act to help alleviate job search difficulties for servicemembers' families. Additionally, she’s backed several legislative actions such as the Major Richard Star Act to correct disability policies for retired combat vets, and the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act for broadening veterans' access to educational benefits.
Moody’s dedication to these causes has extended into multiple aspects of veteran support. In an effort to safeguard against espionage, she introduced the Drone Espionage Act, which focused on preventing unauthorized video surveillance of military installations. Moreover, she threw her support behind the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025, with the aim of ensuring the Veterans Administration employs individuals wholly dedicated to serving veterans’ needs, according to the same press release.
The senator’s advocacy goes beyond legislation; her track record includes facilitating discussions for veteran welfare improvement, evidenced by hosting a town hall with VA Secretary Collins in Tampa. She has also made strides in military infrastructure, for instance, requesting then-President Trump to station F-35As at Homestead Air Reserve Base. Furthermore, she commemorated two centuries of the U.S. Navy's presence in Pensacola, emphasizing the strategic importance of naval and Coast Guard operations in the region.
Prior to her role in the Senate, while serving as Florida's Attorney General, Moody established the Florida Military and Veterans Assistance Program (MVAP). It catalyzed aid to service members and their families who fell victim to fraudulent schemes. Through MVAP, over $3.7 million was recovered from more than 2,300 complaints between 2019 and January 2025. Senator Moody's actions reflect a driven effort to make Florida a steadfast ally to veterans and military families.
