Legislative: Year-End Briefing

We are finishing the Program Year strong.

Here are the highlights.

• All 50 Departments have sent in the minimum four Legislative promotions.

Six Departments reported in-person meetings with their elected representatives. Arizona has had several lengthy meetings with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and members of his staff.

• All 50 Departments reported promoting participation in the mid-term elections in one form or another. Missouri stood out for creating an election day voting plan checklist.
• Every Department was very good about keeping their election-day activities free from political bias, which I was very impressed with.
• Every Department reported on local issues in at least one of their reports. North Dakota was particularly impressive for posting a link to the state’s legislation tracking site along with instructions on how to navigate it.

 

Recently, the VFW National Headquarters issued a Legislation Alert in support of the GUARD VA Benefits Act (HR.1139), and the Department Chairmen distributed it promptly. I have encouraged the Department of Illinois to lean on their representative, Mike Bost (R-12), especially hard because he hasn’t cosponsored the bill, yet, and because he is Chairman of the committee, his actions are influential. I reminded Illinois that as both constituents and members of one of America’s oldest Veterans Service Organizations, they are influential as well.

 

We are also working together to support the Major Richard Star Act. (S.344). I sent a link to the Star Act’s webpage on Congress.gov so they can find out if their elected representatives cosponsored the bill. I encouraged everyone to thank or chastise their senators, accordingly.

 

Getting to know and work with the 50 Department Legislative Chairmen has been a true joy. I’ve learned so much from them and I’m confident that the VFW Auxiliary will continue to shape America’s legislative landscape to create a country that works for everyone.