National Legislative Division Weekly
May 27, 2022
GRASSROOTS ALERT: TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT
VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC HAZARDS
This week, The American Legion National Headquarters sent out an alert to National Leigslative Council
(NLC) members and Legislative Action Center subscribers to call on their Senators to pass H.R. 3967, the
Honoring our PACT Act. In six weeks, 18,250 messages were sent to Senators. Florida, California, and
Texas had the largest share of total messages sent to their respective Senators. This can be seen in the
graphic below:
This campaign will be the top legislative priority of The American Legion until the Senate votes on it around
June 6 or 7. National Commander Paul Dillard has visited Minnesota, Georgia, Alaska, South Dakota, and
Indiana on a multi-state tour to spread awareness of the PACT Act. Earlier this month, he held a press
conference where he urged Legionnaires to take action and press their senators to vote yes on this critical
piece of legislation.
This week National Legislative Division (NLD) Staff met with Senate Minority Leader McConnell, Senator
Paul, and Senator Ernst to urge them to vote “YES” on the PACT Act.
Status updates will be shared weekly, and Legionnaires are encouraged to disseminate this campaign far
and wide.
TAKE ACTION NOW
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 27, 2022
THE AMERICAN LEGION PRESENTS SENATOR ERNST
THE DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Every year, The American Legion presents
the Distinguished Public Service Award to
recognize lawmakers for their public service
career and their commitment to the welfare of
America’s veterans and their families. This
year, The American Legion presented the
award to Senator Ernst (R-IA). Senator Ernst
is an Army National Guard veteran who
served as a Company Commander in Kuwait
and Iraq, leading 150 Iowa Army National
Guardsmen during Operation Iraqi Freedom
(OIF). She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in
the Iowa Army National Guard after 23 years
of military service.
After being elected as the first female
combat veteran to serve in the United States Senate in 2014, Ernst became a champion for veterans by
introducing the Buddy Check Week Act and garnering support for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial
Location Act, which was signed into law through last year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
After the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Senator Ernst developed a strategy to evacuate Special
Immigrant Visa holders who remain in Afghanistan. She also lead the bipartisan effort to make substantial
reforms to prevent military sexual assault.
CONGRESS
The Senate passed by unanimous consent, HR 4591, the VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act.
This bill, already passed by the House, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report more
fully on the costs of the electronic health record modernization (EHRM) program. The bill was authored by
the chair of the House subcommittee with direct oversight of the project, Rep. Mrvan (D-IN).
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chair Sen. Tester (D-MT) on Wednesday tried to get Shereef Elnahal
approved as the VA’s Under Secretary for Health via unanimous consent on the Senate floor. Sen. Scott
(R-FL) stopped the effort, saying he does not trust that any of President Biden’s nominees are qualified.
Tester challenged the junior Senator from Florida, pointing out that he did not attend the confirmation
hearing or take an opportunity to ask questions. Tester, visibly angry at this point, warned Scott not go to
Memorial Day events and claim to be a friend of veterans. The exchange concluded with Tester advising
Scott to “look in the mirror” to see why the Senate is dysfunctional.
On Wednesday, May 25, The American Legion presented
the Public Service Award to Senator Ernst (R-IA).
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 27, 2022
TOXIC EXPOSURES
SVAC chair Sen. Tester (D-MT) and ranking member Sen. Moran (R-KS) on Monday released their version
of the Honoring Our PACT Act. The Senate version contains the bulk of the House-passed versions
concerning expanding veterans’ access to VA care for health conditions resulting from burn pit and toxic
exposures; increasing research into these issues; and setting forth a list of 23 new service presumptions
related to Agent Orange and to burn pits and airborne exposures. VA Secretary McDonough praised the
legislation for codifying the Department’s new process for establishing service presumptions.
The Senate version also authorizes 31 major medical leases for the VA which have been held up on technical
problems in Congress for up to a decades. A related provision changes how the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO) would consider those kinds of leases in order to prevent this from happening in the future.
The Senate bill further includes additional hiring and pay authorities to help the VA recruit and retain
personnel. Many of those provisions cover things McDonough has said would be helpful when he testified
before Congress. This includes the ability to pay larger relocation, hiring, and retention bonuses, and
authority to waive aggregate caps on awards and bonuses for VA employees. Other provisions enable the
VA to improve the hiring and management of human resources personnel, with a requirement that the
Department submit a report to Congress on this part of the workforce.
Just before adjourning for the next week, Schumer filed cloture on the Honoring Our PACT Act, dealing
with VA’s coverage of toxic exposed veterans. If the Senate passes this bipartisan agreement, the House
could either request a conference to resolve the differences, or simply pass the Senate version.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
Congress is out of session next week. There will be no hearings.
MEETINGS
• On Tuesday, May 24, NLD Staff gave an update on the Honoring our PACT Act at the Training
Tuesday webinar.
• On Tuesday, May 24, NLD Staff met with House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) majority
staff to discuss upcoming education oversight legislation.
• On Tuesday, May 24, NLD Staff participated in a VSO meeting to discuss the Honoring Our PACT
Act.
• On Tuesday, May 24, NLD Staff participated in the VSO call to discuss legislative strategies to pass
the Honoring Our PACT Act.
• On Wednesday, May 25, NLD Staff met with members of the Japanese Embassy to discuss military
quality of life issues for service members and veterans who reside in Japan as well as a variety of
security concerns in the pacific theater.
• On Wednesday, May 25th, NLD Staff along, with the Chairwoman of the National Legislative
Council (NLC), met with the office of Representative Murphy (R-NC) to discuss a variety of
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 27, 2022
veterans and defense related issues. Represenated Murphy has the largest Marine Corps base on the
east coast, Camp Lejeune, in his district.
• On Wednesday, May 25, NLD staff met with Chairman Smith’s (D-WA) Veterans Policy Advisor
to discuss the Major Richard Star Act, which corrects the concurrent receipt problem affecting
disabled veterans. Combat-injured veterans forced into early retirement by their injury are not
receiving their vested longevity pay. Reducing retirement pay because of a disability is an injustice.
The Major Richard Star Act will correct this injustice.
• On Wednesday, May 25, NLD Staff met with Senator Ernst (R-IA) to discuss various veteran
legislative priorities as well as give her TAL’s Distinguished Public Service Award.
• On Thursday, May 26, NLD Staff met with Kentucky state representatives to discuss legislative
strategies to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act.
• On Thursday, May 26, NLD Staff met with the office of Senator Paul (R-KY) to discuss the
Honoring Our PACT Act.
• On Thursday, May 26, NLD Staff with Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) to discuss the Honoring
Our PACT Act.
• On Thursday, May 26, NLD Staff met with staff from the office of Senator Duckworth (D-IL) to
discuss possible military naturalization language to be included in the FY23 NDAA.
• On Thursday, May 26, NLD Staff met with staff from the office of Representative Lee (D-CA) to
discuss possible Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) repeal language to be included in
the FY23 NDAA.
• On Friday, May 27, NLD Staff met with staff from the office of Senator Graham (R-SC) to discuss
the Afghan Adjustment Act.
• On Friday, May 27, NLD staff participated in the VSO call to discuss legislative strategies for the
Major Richard Star Act.
• On Friday, May 27, NLD staff met with Sen. Crapo’s (R-ID) Veterans Policy Advisor to discuss
the Honoring Our PACT Act.
Lawrence Montreuil, Legislative Director
The American LegionNational Legislative Division Weekly
May 20, 2022
GRASSROOTS ALERT: TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT
VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC HAZARDS
This week, The American Legion National Headquarters sent out an alert to NLC members and Legislative
Action Center subscribers to call on their Senators to pass H.R. 3967, the Honoring our PACT Act. In five
weeks, 17,288 messages were sent to Senators. Florida, California, and Texas had the largest share of total
messages sent to their respective Senators. This can be seen in the graphic below:
This campaign will be the top legislative priority of The American Legion until the Senate votes on it around
June 7 or 8. National Commander Paul Dillard has visited Minnesota, Georgia, Alaska, South Dakota, and
Indiana on a multi-state tour to spread awareness of the PACT Act. Earlier this month, he held a press
conference where he urged Legionnaires to take action and press their senators to vote yes on this critical
piece of legislation.
Status updates will be shared weekly, and Legionnaires are encouraged to disseminate this campaign far
and wide.
TAKE ACTION NOW
CONGRESS
As the US death toll from COVID-19 reached one million this week (according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)), the House has yet to pass another related supplemental spending bill.
Senate leaders have told reporters they are waiting for the House to act. House leaders are now saying they
are waiting for the Senate.
The Senate did pass another Ukraine supplemental spending bill in its last vote for this week. The House
had passed it previously, but Sen. Paul (R-KY) held it up for a week in his Chamber. The bill now goes to
the President.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 20, 2022
The Senate will be in session next week, while the House is in a District Work Period. However, the rise of
remote hearings will allow for a number of House committees to hold hearings from home.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS HEATH ROBINSON
HONORING OUR PROMISE TO ADDRESS
COMPREHENSIVE TOXICS (PACT) ACT
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chair Sen. Tester (D-MT) and ranking member Sen. Moran (R-KS) on
Wednesday announced an agreement to support the House-passed PACT Act.
Previously, Moran and his Republican colleagues hesitated to support the legislation due to the cost and
fears of overwhelming the VA’s benefits and health care systems. The statement announcing the agreement
did not indicate what changed GOP lawmakers’ minds. Veterans service organizations (VSOs) and other
advocates have been lobbying heavily for the bill, which the House passed in March on a bipartisan basis
(although only 34 Republicans voted in favor).
The PACT Act expands VA health care eligibility to 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans who were exposed to
burn pits and other toxins. It adds 23 service presumptions for the health effects from toxic exposures,
including hypertension due to Agent Orange. It also expands areas in which veterans exposed to Agent
Orange would qualify for service presumptions.
The legislation also provides funding for 31 major leases Congress has previously authorized. The funding
has been stalled in Congress because of the way CBO scores them for budgetary planning purposes.
Finally, the legislation provides additional resources for the VA to bolster both claims processing and the
provision of health care in order to manage the increased number of eligible veterans.
The Senate intends to vote on the legislation around June 7 or 8. If the House needs to vote (due to the
Senate changing language in its bill), Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) has promised prompt floor action.
A Pentagon spokesman said on Thursday that Defense Secretary Austin speaks with VA Secretary
McDonough about this topic on a regular basis. He did not indicate whether the two Departments have yet
created a plan for identifying all service members who were exposed to burn pits and would be eligible for
VA services under this legislation
VETERANS-RELATED LEGISLATION
Congress has a tradition of passing a bevy of veterans-related bills just before Memorial Day.
On Tuesday, the House passed ten bills:
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 20, 2022
o *S 3527, allowing the VA to transfer the name of facilities to other, similar facilities
o *S 1760, naming the CBOC being built in Oahu, Hawaii, the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA CBOC
o *S 2514, naming the Provo Veterans Center in Orem, Utah, the Col. Gail S. Halvorsen “Candy
Bomber” Veterans Center
o HR 7500, FY22 VA Major Medical Facility Authorization Act
o HR 5754, Patient Advocate Tracker Act
o HR 6604, Veterans Eligibility to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act
o *S 2687, Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021
o HR 7375, VA to allow for electronic fund transfer for educational assistance to foreign institutions
of higher education
o HR 6376, Student Veteran Work Study Modernization Act
o HR 7153, VA Principles of Benefits Automation Act
On Wednesday, the House passed an additional nine bills:
o HR 5738, Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act
o HR 7335, MST Claims Coordination Act
o HR 6961, Dignity for MST Survivors Act
o HR 6064, requiring the VA to have NASEM review examinations of those who submit claims to
the VA for compensation for mental and physical conditions linked to MST
o HR 2724, VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act
o *S 4089, Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act
o HR 6052, VA OIG Training Act
o *S 2533, MAMMO for Veterans Act
o *S 2102, Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act
The listed bills with an asterisk (*) have already passed the Senate, and are now headed to the President to
be signed into law.
$30B UKRAINE PACKAGE HEADS TO BIDEN’S DESK
The Senate voted 86-11 Thursday to approve a $40 billion Ukraine aid package that would replenish U.S.
stockpiles of weapons transferred to Ukraine, as well as allocate billions of dollars to help the Ukrainian
government continue operating and provide humanitarian assistance. President Biden is expected to
immediately sign the legislation, which exceeds his $33 billion request to Congress.
The House passed the legislation overwhelmingly earlier this month by a vote of 368-57. The bill would
authorize the transfer of American weapons and equipment to Ukraine and provide $9 billion to replenish
depleted U.S. weapons stockpiles. It would also provide nearly $9 billion for continued operations of the
Ukrainian government and $4 billion in international disaster assistance.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Congress last week to pass the
bill by Thursday if the U.S. wanted to continue sending aid to Ukraine at the current pace. The
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 20, 2022
administration had predicted that the $100 million leftover in presidential drawdown authority—which
allows the Pentagon to send weapons from its own stockpile — would last through the middle of May.
Eleven Republican senators led by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voted against the measure.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
• On Tuesday, May 24, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) will hold a hearing titled
“Hearings to examine pending calendar business.”
LEGIONNAIRE OF THE WEEK
In an effort to recognize the weekly accomplishments of our Legionnaires, we will spotlight an individual
every week. These individuals demonstrate exceptional grassroots activism by meeting with/contacting
their Congressional Representative/Senator to advocate for veterans. Efforts like these truly make a
difference and give veterans a voice in Congress.
NLC Vice Chairman Jensen, Washington
This week, we are excited to recognize NLC Vice Chairman Jensen for meeting with staff from the office
of Representative Larsen (D-WA) to discuss the Honoring Our PACT Act and obtaining support from
Senator Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Murray (D-WA).
Thank you, Chairman Skinner!
If you have made a grassroots effort and would like to be considered for next week’s “Legionnaire of the
Week,” please fill out the Congressional Contact Report Form here. You can also email me at
kisaacson@legion.org.
MEETINGS
• On Monday, May 16, NLD Staff conducted an introductory meeting with the House Small Business
Committee Majority Staff.
• On Monday, May 16, NLD Staff met with the Senate Small Business Committee staff to discuss
concerns with the passage of S. 3564, the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act, out of Committee. Staff
received word that several “poison pill” amendments would be proposed in a Wednesday markup,
dividing the Committee from what otherwise would be a bipartisan vote.
• On Tuesday, May 17, NLD Staff sent messages to all of the Senators on the Small Business
Committee to share the American Legion’s support for S. 3564. NLD Staff then received word that
the poison pill amendments would be withdrawn before Wednesday’s hearing.
• On Tuesday, May 17, NLD Staff attended a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution,
Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties hearing titled “Examining Potential Reforms of Emergency
Powers.” Written testimony and video can be found here.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 20, 2022
• On Wednesday, Mau 18, NLD Staff monitored the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity legislative hearing. The American Legion’s state for the record (SFR) can
be found here.
• On Wednesday, May 18, NLD Staff spoke with the Republican National Committee (RNC) about
a Veterans Forum they are planning for next week at the Villages in Florida. They extended an
invitation for a Legion representative to talk about the benefits of Legion membership and our
advocacy goals. The invitation was shared with the Florida National Legislative Council Vice
Chairman.
• On Wednesday, May 18, NLD Staff participated in the Afghanistan allies’ coalition working group
meeting to receive updates on efforts to get remaining Afghans who worked with the US military
during the Afghanistan war out of the country and the latest developments with assisting those
already in the US to integrate into their new communities.
• On Wednesday, May 18, NLD Staff met with staff from SVAC to discuss the VA’s Asset and
Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission and a legislative proposal to reform VA’s infrastructure
planning process.
• On Wednesday, May 18, NLD Staff participated in an Afghanistan allies’ coalition working group
meeting to work on advancing legislation called the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would facilitate
the settlement of our Afghan allies in the US.
• On Wednesday, May 18, NLD Staff attended a House Homeland Security titled “Examining DHS’s
Efforts to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.” Written testimony is here and the video is here. The
hearing provided an opportunity to learn more about the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts
and challenges in combatting the opioid epidemic, and Transnational Organized Crime.
• On Thursday, May 19, NLD Staff attended a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the
Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation hearing titled “The Ukraine Crisis: Implications for U.S.
Policy in the Indo-Pacific.” The hearing focused on the ramifications of the Russian invasion of
Ukraine for a potential conflict over China and Taiwan. Written testimony is here and the video is
here.
• On Thursday, May 19, NLD Staff met with the office of Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) to
discuss legislation to expand TRICARE in the US territories.
• On Thursday, May 19th, NLD Staff spoke with GI Jobs magazine about the Legion’s education
priorities, specifically the GI Bill Parity Act.
• On Thursday, May 19, NLD Staff met with Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC). Congressman
Murphy sits on the House Ways and Means Committee but expressed his interest in taking on a
more active role in sponsoring veterans legislation after the recent House passage of his Veterans
Eligibility to Transfer School (VETS) Credit Act.
• On Friday, May 20th, NLD Staff met with SVAC Majority Staff to discuss VA’s AIR Commission.
Lawrence Montreuil, Legislative Director
The American LegionNational Legislative Division Weekly
May 13, 2022
GRASSROOTS ALERT: TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT
VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC HAZARDS
This week, The American Legion National Headquarters sent out an alert to NLC members and Legislative
Action Center subscribers to call on their Senators to pass H.R. 3967, the Honoring our PACT Act. In four
weeks, 13,784 messages were sent to Senators. Florida, California, and Pennsylvania had the largest share
of total messages sent to their respective Senators. This can be seen in the graphic below:
This campaign will be the top legislative priority of The American Legion until the Senate acts on this
critical piece of legislation. National Commander Paul Dillard has visited Minnesota, Georgia, Alaska,
South Dakota, and Indiana on a multi-state tour to spread awareness of the PACT Act. Last week, he held
a press conference where he urged Legionnaires to take action and press their senators to vote yes on this
critical piece of legislation.
Status updates will be shared weekly, and Legionnaires are encouraged to disseminate this campaign far
and wide.
TAKE ACTION NOW
CONGRESS
On both sides of Capitol Hill, appropriators were hard at work. Dozens of hearings were held on every
aspect of the federal budget in an attempt to write and pass appropriations bills on time this year. House
Appropriations Committee chair Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) on Tuesday indicated that leaders of the House and
Senate committees are deep into negotiations on topline spending amounts. While it is too early to predict
what the final numbers might be, the Defense budget will most certainly be higher than what the
Administration requested.
The House Armed Services Committee released its markup schedule this week. Subcommittee markups
(which tend to last between 6 and 20 minutes) will take place on June 8 and 9, and the full committee
markup on June 22.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 13, 2022
The Senate, as expected, failed to move the Women’s Health Protection Act forward, which would have
codified abortion access as basic health care. The Chamber also failed to move the newest supplemental to
provide military assistance to Ukraine, due to opposition by Sen. Paul (R-KY). The Senator wants to include
a provision to have the Afghanistan Special Inspector audit the funds spent helping Ukraine. However, the
underlying bill already requires both DoD and the State Department to conduct such audits, and other
legislation provides for a Ukraine-specific inspector.
The House already passed the $40 billion Ukraine aid package.
CONGRESS EXCLUDES PROTECTIONS FOR AFGHAN
EVACUEES IN UKRAINE BILL
Congress left out of a Ukraine-focused supplemental spending bill a White House proposal to grant Afghan
evacuees permanent protections in the U.S., leaving roughly 36,000 of them in legal limbo.
The move deals a blow to advocates who have spent months urging protections for those who were
evacuated from Afghanistan last August but do not qualify for special immigrant visas.
The organization #AfghanEvac, which has worked to secure relief for Afghans, has met with the White
House and with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for months to push for the provisions. The Biden
administration asked Congress to include the language in the Ukraine bill.
Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and the founder of the group, has said there has been bipartisan support
for the measures, which are known as the Afghan Adjustment Act but have not officially been introduced
as a standalone bill.
“The work here isn’t close to done,” VanDiver tweeted Tuesday. “We know who blocked this and will
press ever harder to get it done.”
The proposal would apply to the tens of thousands of Afghans who do not qualify for the narrow parameters
of the Special Immigrant Visa program, reserved for Afghans who directly assisted the U.S. during the 20-
year conflict.
These evacuees received temporary humanitarian parole when they entered the U.S., a status granted to
immigrants without visas for pressing humanitarian reasons. But they can only attain lawful permanent
residency if they apply for asylum through the backlogged system, with average wait times that stretch for
more than four years.
Under consideration
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 13, 2022
The provisions were under consideration for inclusion in the Ukraine spending bill as late as Tuesday.
Advocates pushed for inclusion of the provisions in acknowledgment that they would be difficult to move
as a standalone bill.
There are a dwindling number of must-pass bills on the agenda before the midterm elections in November,
leaving few opportunities to pass the Afghan policy as part of a broader bill.
Ultimately, the Afghan proposal was stymied by Republican concerns about vetting as well as senators’
desire to move billions of dollars in Ukraine aid as quickly as possible.
“I do think it's really important to keep the Ukrainian aid program an aid package about Ukraine, not adding
anything to it — even something like the Afghan program that I might support,” Ohio Republican Sen. Rob
Portman said last week.
Portman, the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said
he had concerns about vetting and screening of Afghan evacuees. He cited an inspector general report from
earlier this year suggesting that a few dozen Afghan evacuees were not fully vetted using available Defense
Department data, and that some of those individuals could not be located.
Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst signaled concern with screening procedures she said were not tough
enough to keep out people affiliated with terrorist organizations. “I've said I can't support the Afghan bills
unless those are worked out,” Ernst said.
Even Democrats who had played a key role in developing the proposal, such as Delaware Democratic Sen.
Chris Coons, were wary of anything that could slow down the Ukraine funding bill, which the House passed
Tuesday night.
"I am clear that we can’t slow down the Ukraine assistance package, and so I agree with the president’s
timeline and objective in terms of getting this done no later than next week,” Coons said.
The omission of the provisions prolongs a period of uncertainty for thousands of Afghans who cannot safely
return to Afghanistan.
They include Afghans who are extended family members of special immigrant visa recipients and do not
qualify as direct dependents, as well as Afghans who supported education, journalism or women’s rights
and would face persecution under Taliban rule.
Those Afghans are eligible for protection and some refugee benefits under humanitarian parole for a period
of up to two years. They are also eligible for Temporary Protected Status, which includes work authorization
and protection from deportation, for a period of 18 months plus any extensions the Biden administration
decides to grant.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 13, 2022
However, those protections do not provide a pathway to citizenship, and could change under a future
presidential administration.
“It's like living in a hotel,” VanDiver said of the current temporary protections. “An American value is the
ability to place down roots.”
Also left out of the Ukraine package was a separate White House proposal that would aim to “undercut
Russia's innovative potential” by making it easier for Russian STEM professionals to work in the U.S.
The proposal would have eliminated a requirement that Russian advanced degree holders seeking
employment in STEM industries have an employer sponsor in the U.S. before applying for an employment-
based visa.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
• On Tuesday, May 17, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing titled “FY23 VA Electronic Health Record
Modernization Budget Hearing.”
• On Wednesday, May 18, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will
hold a legislative hearing. TAL will submit a State for the Record (SFR). You can watch the hearing
here.
• On Wednesday, May 18, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing titled “Navy and Marin Corps
Installations and Quality of Life Update.”
• On Wednesday, May 18, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship will
hold a hearing titled “Oversight of Immigrant Military Members and Veterans.”
• On Wednesday, May 18, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing titled “Hearings to examine proposed
budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2023 for military construction and family housing.”
LEGIONNAIRE OF THE WEEK
In an effort to recognize the weekly accomplishments of our Legionnaires, we will spotlight an individual
every week. These individuals demonstrate exceptional grassroots activism by meeting with/contacting
their Congressional Representative/Senator to advocate for veterans. Efforts like these truly make a
difference and give veterans a voice in Congress.
Chairman Skinner, Idaho
This week, we are excited to recognize Chairman Skinner for meeting with staff from the office of Senator
Crapo (R-ID) to discuss The American Legion’s legislative agenda. At the end of the meeting, Chairman
Skinner and Rich Kearsley presented the staff with a signed baseball from the Badnits along with a winners
medal and several pins.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 13, 2022
“They were very happy to get the momentos from our World Series Champions. I maintain a close
relationship with the congressional staffers and they come to my monthly meeting of all the VSOs in the
area. They are always willing to help us and any Veterans they can.”
Thank you, Chairman Skinner!
If you have made a grassroots effort and would like to be considered for next week’s “Legionnaire of the
Week,” please fill out the Congressional Contact Report Form here. You can also email me at
kisaacson@legion.org.
MEETINGS
• On Monday, May 9, NLD Staff participated in a VSO weekly meeting to discuss the Honoring Our
PACT Act.
• On Monday, May 9, NLD Staff participated in a VSO weekly meeting to discuss the Major Richard
Star Act to discuss the disparate impact on veterans. The participants specifically discussed the issue
of a concurrent receipt.
• On Tuesday, May 10, NLD Staff prepared for a VSO webinar presentation for Senate staffers to
discuss the Honoring Our PACT Act.
• On Tuesday, May 10, NLD Staff met with Rep. Pfluger’s (R-TX) Veterans Policy Advisor to discuss
H.R. 7524, the ACES Act, which would direct the Secretary of the VA to work with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the incidence of and mortality of cancer
among individuals who served in the Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps as aviators and aircrew.
• On Tuesday, May 10, NLD Staff participated in a VSO call to discuss legislative strategies for the
Honoring Our PACT Act.
• On Tuesday, May 10, NLD Staff met with Rep. Bilirakis (R-TX) Veterans Policy Advisor to discuss
the Major Richard Star Act and legislative strategies.
• On Wednesday, May 11, NLD Staff participated in a VSO Information Brief on the Honoring Our
PACT Act for Senate staffers.
• On Wednesday, May 11, NLD Staff monitored a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC)
hearing titled “Hearings to examine the quality of care in the VA and private sector.”
• On Wednesday, May 11, NLD Staff monitored a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military
Construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing titled “Impacts
of VA’s Research Efforts on Veterans.”
• On Thursday, May 12, NLD Staff met with SVAC Majority staff to discuss the Honoring Our PACT
Act.
• On Thursday, May 12, NLD Staff met with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to discuss
the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Troops to Teachers Program management.
• On Thursday, May 12, NLD Staff participated in a Four Corners Congressional call on veterans
homelessness legislation.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 13, 2022
• On Thursday, May 12, NLD Staff monitored a House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health
hearing titled “Innovative Care Delivery at VA: Partnering to Improve Infrastructure and
Operational Efficiency.”
• On Friday, May 13, NLD Staff participated in a Republican roundtable to discuss solutions to protect
veterans from VA policies that infringe on veterans’ 2nd Amendment rights without due process of
the law.
• On Friday, May 13, NLD Staff participated in a VSO meeting to discuss legislative strategies for
the Major Richard Star Act.
• On Friday, May 13, NLD Staff met with Rep. Massie’s (R-KY) Veterans Policy Advisor to discuss
the Honoring Our PACT Act.
• On Friday, May 13, NLD Staff met with the California Coalition of Community Colleges to discuss
GI Bill certification issues related to the Roe-Isaakson Act.
Lawrence Montreuil, Legislative Director
The American Legion National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
GRASSROOTS ALERT: TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT
VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC HAZARDS
This week, The American Legion National Headquarters sent out an alert to NLC members and
Legislative Action Center subscribers to call on their Senators to pass H.R. 3967, the Honoring our PACT
Act. In three weeks, 13,040 messages were sent to Senators. Florida, Pennsylvania, and California had the
largest share of total messages sent to their respective Senators. This can be seen in the graphic below:
In addition, we’d like to recognize the Department of Nevada for having the highest rate of engagement,
which accounts for the Legionnaire population of each state. Round of applause for Nevada Legionnaires!
This campaign will be the top legislative priority of The American Legion until the Senate acts on this
critical piece of legislation. National Commander Paul Dillard has visited Minnesota, Georgia, Alaska,
South Dakota, and Indiana on a multi-state tour to spread awareness of the PACT Act. This week, he also
held a press conference where he urged Legionnaires to take action and press their senators to vote yes on
this critical piece of legislation.
Status updates will be shared weekly, and Legionnaires are encouraged to disseminate this campaign far
and wide.
TAKE ACTION NOW
AMERICAN LEGION CALLS FOR IMMIGRATION
REFORM
The American Legion’s National Security Commission has been reviewing immigration policy issues
with those in the field to discuss needs with the border, visa application, legal immigration application,
asylum system and more. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency estimates that
there are 11.4 million undocumented immigrants currently residing within the United States –
approximately 45% of them arrived in the United States legally but have overstayed their visa.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
The American Legion believes in legal immigration into the United States and a path toward becoming a
U.S. citizen. To help in those efforts, the National Security Commission presented an immigration reform
policy resolution during The American Legion’s Spring Meetings May 5 in Indianapolis. Resolution No.
23, Immigration Reform, was adopted by the National Executive Committee.
As stated, the resolution urges the U.S. government to:
• Adopt immigration reform policy that emphasizes border security, focusing on funding for barriers where
needed, fielding of advanced technologies, and fully manning the border;
• Enact laws that improve visa security through thorough vetting of applicants, reducing visa
overstays and ending visa programs that are vulnerable to exploitation by bad actors;
• Streamline the legal immigration application process so as to help reduce and discourage illegal
immigration;
• Reform the asylum system and adhere to laws requiring detention and expedited due process
and/or removal of illegal border crossers; and
• Strengthen immigration reform agreements with transit countries to discourage the flow of
immigrants that attempt to enter the United States illegally.
Resolution 23 is available here.
CONGRESS
The House will be back in session next week. The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has already
announced a full slate of hearings on various elements of the military, as the committee drives to start
marking up the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) early next month.
THE VA AND THE SOUTHERN BORDER
The Biden Administration is reportedly about to lift Title 42 at the Southern border. The previous
Administration had used the rule to send undocumented immigrants back to Mexico. Lifting the rule
would allow these individuals to stay in the United States while awaiting asylum decisions.
There has been a small firestorm in Congress and elsewhere at the prospect of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) calling upon the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to send medical
personnel to the border to treat those immigrants for COVID and other conditions.
As a result, for the last few weeks, Republican lawmakers have asked a number of VA witnesses whether
VA personnel will be diverted from treating veterans to care for migrants. On Wednesday, VA Secretary
McDonough hopefully put the matter to rest when he assured the Senate Appropriations Committee’s
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee (SAC-Milcon) this will not happen. The
American Legion recently passed Resolution 23, which calls for immigration reform.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
THE VA’S ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD
MODERNIZATION (EHRM) INITIATIVE
McDonough told the SAC-Milcon that, since March 3, the facilities using the new EHR system have
experienced six outages due to system imbalance and similar issues. Cerner, the EHR provider, is in
charge of ensuring these problems do not occur. Describing himself as “frustrated” by this, McDonough
indicated a reluctance to continue rolling out the system at additional sites until that is fixed.
The system has experienced outages of up to just over two hours at both Mann-Grandstaff and Walla
Walla, two facilities located in Washington state. No reported outages have yet occurred at the Columbus,
Ohio, facility, which was the third and most recent medical center to implement the Cerner EHR system,
At Wednesday’s hearing, McDonough denied reports that Mann-Grandstaff is planning to cut back on
veterans’ care due to productivity losses caused by the EHR implementation. The Secretary promised Sen.
Murray (D-WA) that there is no such plan, and he would not support such a move.
McDonough and other VA leaders have told Senate committees this week that lessons learned on training
staff on the new system have resulted in far smoother rollouts at both Walla Walla and Columbus. The
plan is to continue implementing the system in smaller, less complicated settings, while building up to
tackle larger facilities later in the schedule.
The Cerner system is next scheduled to be implemented on June 11 at the Roseburg VA Health Care
System and the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinic, both located in Oregon.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
• On Tuesday, May 10, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) will hold a hearing titled,
“To receive testimony on worldwide threats.”
• On Wednesday, May 11, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense will hold a hearing
titled, “Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Defense.”
• On Wednesday, May 11, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
will hold a hearing titled, “Reviewing President Biden’s Strategy to Reduce Veteran Suicide by
Addressing Economic Risk Factors.”
• On Wednesday, May 11, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) will hold a hearing
titled, “Hearings to examine the quality of care in the VA and private sector.”
LEGIONNAIRE OF THE WEEK
In an effort to recognize the weekly accomplishments of our Legionnaires, we will spotlight an individual
every week. These individuals demonstrate exceptional grassroots activism by meeting with/contacting
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
their Congressional Representative/Senator to advocate for veterans. Efforts like these truly make a
difference and give veterans a voice in Congress.
Commander Rafael Munoz-Cintron, Washington
This week, we are excited to recognize Commander Rafael Munoz-Cintron for meeting with staff from
the office of Representative Smith (D-WA), who is the Chairman of the House Armed Services
Committee (HASC). Commander Munoz-Cintron went to discuss “Buddy Check Week” legislation,
which would direct the Secretary of VA to designate one week each year as “Buddy Check Week” for the
purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans. After the meeting, the
staffer emailed Commander Munoz-Cintron to update him on the bill’s progress.
Thank you, Commander Munoz-Cintron!
If you have made a grassroots effort and would like to be considered for next week’s “Legionnaire of the
Week,” please fill out the Congressional Contact Report Form here. You can also email me at
kisaacson@legion.org.
MEETINGS
• This week NLD Staff participated in the Spring NEC meetings at the TAL Headquarters in
Indianapolis.
• On Monday, May 2, NLD Staff attended an event hosted by the Hudson Institute titled: “Should
the US Overhaul its Defense Strategy? A conversation with Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL).”
More information and video are here.
• On Monday, May 2, NLD Staff participated in a VSO weekly meeting to discuss the Honoring
Our PACT Act.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff attended a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing titled:
“State Department Authorization: Strengthening U.S. Diplomacy for the 21st Century.” Testimony
and video are here.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff attended an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS) titled: “The Spear and the Shield? Japan's Defense Strategy
Trajectory.” More information and video are here.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff participated in a National Security Reform working group
meeting to discuss the balance of power between the president and Congress regarding the use of
military force.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff attended a “Four Corners” Veterans Committee call on economic
opportunity issues including homelessness and education oversight.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff participated in a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer (D-NY) to discuss legislative strategies for passing the Honoring Our PACT Act in the
Senate.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff monitored an SVAC hearing on VA workforce recruitment and
retention.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
• On Wednesday, May 4, NLD Staff monitored an SVAC hearing on the pending nomination for
VA Under Secretary of Health.
• On Thursday, May 5, NLD Staff attended a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs hearing titled: “Securing and Ensuring Order on the Southwest Border.”
Testimony and video are here.
• On Thursday, May 5, NLD Staff participated meeting to discuss the Honoring Our PACT Act
event in Washington D.C.
• On Friday, May 6, NLD Staff spoke with House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity Minority Staff about draft legislation to lower appraisal fees on the VA Home Loan
Program.
Lawrence Montreuil, Legislative Director
The American Legion
Legionnaires,
Victory is within sight for granting VA healthcare to toxic-exposed veterans - but we need your help and every Legionnaire in the fight. Act now by contacting your Senators and urge them to vote YES for the Honoring Our PACT Act.
In April, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he would bring the Honoring Our Pact Act to a vote on the Senate floor around Memorial Day. However, there is opposition from those who believe this comprehensive toxic exposure legislation is too expensive. There is a significant chance the bill will fail without bipartisan support. It is for this very reason that it took decades for VA to provide relief for veterans of Vietnam exposed to Agent Orange. The U.S. government still has yet to finish its work for Vietnam veterans, and we have begun the cycle anew with the current generation of service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We must break this cycle of care that is considered "too little, too late" for our veterans. They cannot wait decades to receive the care they need and rightfully deserve. As our National Commander Paul E. Dillard said at this week’s Spring National Executive Committee meeting, "President Lincoln's promise –‘To Care for Him Who Shall Have Borne the Battle’ defines who we are as an American Legion. Does it define us as a country?"
We need you to follow our National Commander's lead and contact your Senators. Please tell them to vote “YES” in support of this landmark legislation and share with your fellow Legionnaires and veterans advocates.
John Kamin | Legislative Associate & Grassroots Coordinator
a: 1608 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20006
e: jkamin@legion.org | w: www.legion.org
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
GRASSROOTS ALERT: TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT
VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC HAZARDS
This week, The American Legion National Headquarters sent out an alert to NLC members and
Legislative Action Center subscribers to call on their Senators to pass H.R. 3967, the Honoring our PACT
Act. In three weeks, 13,040 messages were sent to Senators. Florida, Pennsylvania, and California had the
largest share of total messages sent to their respective Senators. This can be seen in the graphic below:
In addition, we’d like to recognize the Department of Nevada for having the highest rate of engagement,
which accounts for the Legionnaire population of each state. Round of applause for Nevada Legionnaires!
This campaign will be the top legislative priority of The American Legion until the Senate acts on this
critical piece of legislation. National Commander Paul Dillard has visited Minnesota, Georgia, Alaska,
South Dakota, and Indiana on a multi-state tour to spread awareness of the PACT Act. This week, he also
held a press conference where he urged Legionnaires to take action and press their senators to vote yes on
this critical piece of legislation.
Status updates will be shared weekly, and Legionnaires are encouraged to disseminate this campaign far
and wide.
TAKE ACTION NOW
AMERICAN LEGION CALLS FOR IMMIGRATION
REFORM
The American Legion’s National Security Commission has been reviewing immigration policy issues
with those in the field to discuss needs with the border, visa application, legal immigration application,
asylum system and more. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency estimates that
there are 11.4 million undocumented immigrants currently residing within the United States –
approximately 45% of them arrived in the United States legally but have overstayed their visa.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
The American Legion believes in legal immigration into the United States and a path toward becoming a
U.S. citizen. To help in those efforts, the National Security Commission presented an immigration reform
policy resolution during The American Legion’s Spring Meetings May 5 in Indianapolis. Resolution No.
23, Immigration Reform, was adopted by the National Executive Committee.
As stated, the resolution urges the U.S. government to:
• Adopt immigration reform policy that emphasizes border security, focusing on funding for barriers where
needed, fielding of advanced technologies, and fully manning the border;
• Enact laws that improve visa security through thorough vetting of applicants, reducing visa
overstays and ending visa programs that are vulnerable to exploitation by bad actors;
• Streamline the legal immigration application process so as to help reduce and discourage illegal
immigration;
• Reform the asylum system and adhere to laws requiring detention and expedited due process
and/or removal of illegal border crossers; and
• Strengthen immigration reform agreements with transit countries to discourage the flow of
immigrants that attempt to enter the United States illegally.
Resolution 23 is available here.
CONGRESS
The House will be back in session next week. The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) has already
announced a full slate of hearings on various elements of the military, as the committee drives to start
marking up the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) early next month.
THE VA AND THE SOUTHERN BORDER
The Biden Administration is reportedly about to lift Title 42 at the Southern border. The previous
Administration had used the rule to send undocumented immigrants back to Mexico. Lifting the rule
would allow these individuals to stay in the United States while awaiting asylum decisions.
There has been a small firestorm in Congress and elsewhere at the prospect of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) calling upon the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to send medical
personnel to the border to treat those immigrants for COVID and other conditions.
As a result, for the last few weeks, Republican lawmakers have asked a number of VA witnesses whether
VA personnel will be diverted from treating veterans to care for migrants. On Wednesday, VA Secretary
McDonough hopefully put the matter to rest when he assured the Senate Appropriations Committee’s
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee (SAC-Milcon) this will not happen. The
American Legion recently passed Resolution 23, which calls for immigration reform.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
THE VA’S ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD
MODERNIZATION (EHRM) INITIATIVE
McDonough told the SAC-Milcon that, since March 3, the facilities using the new EHR system have
experienced six outages due to system imbalance and similar issues. Cerner, the EHR provider, is in
charge of ensuring these problems do not occur. Describing himself as “frustrated” by this, McDonough
indicated a reluctance to continue rolling out the system at additional sites until that is fixed.
The system has experienced outages of up to just over two hours at both Mann-Grandstaff and Walla
Walla, two facilities located in Washington state. No reported outages have yet occurred at the Columbus,
Ohio, facility, which was the third and most recent medical center to implement the Cerner EHR system,
At Wednesday’s hearing, McDonough denied reports that Mann-Grandstaff is planning to cut back on
veterans’ care due to productivity losses caused by the EHR implementation. The Secretary promised Sen.
Murray (D-WA) that there is no such plan, and he would not support such a move.
McDonough and other VA leaders have told Senate committees this week that lessons learned on training
staff on the new system have resulted in far smoother rollouts at both Walla Walla and Columbus. The
plan is to continue implementing the system in smaller, less complicated settings, while building up to
tackle larger facilities later in the schedule.
The Cerner system is next scheduled to be implemented on June 11 at the Roseburg VA Health Care
System and the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinic, both located in Oregon.
UPCOMING HEARINGS
• On Tuesday, May 10, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) will hold a hearing titled,
“To receive testimony on worldwide threats.”
• On Wednesday, May 11, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense will hold a hearing
titled, “Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Defense.”
• On Wednesday, May 11, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
will hold a hearing titled, “Reviewing President Biden’s Strategy to Reduce Veteran Suicide by
Addressing Economic Risk Factors.”
• On Wednesday, May 11, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) will hold a hearing
titled, “Hearings to examine the quality of care in the VA and private sector.”
LEGIONNAIRE OF THE WEEK
In an effort to recognize the weekly accomplishments of our Legionnaires, we will spotlight an individual
every week. These individuals demonstrate exceptional grassroots activism by meeting with/contacting
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
their Congressional Representative/Senator to advocate for veterans. Efforts like these truly make a
difference and give veterans a voice in Congress.
Commander Rafael Munoz-Cintron, Washington
This week, we are excited to recognize Commander Rafael Munoz-Cintron for meeting with staff from
the office of Representative Smith (D-WA), who is the Chairman of the House Armed Services
Committee (HASC). Commander Munoz-Cintron went to discuss “Buddy Check Week” legislation,
which would direct the Secretary of VA to designate one week each year as “Buddy Check Week” for the
purpose of outreach and education concerning peer wellness checks for veterans. After the meeting, the
staffer emailed Commander Munoz-Cintron to update him on the bill’s progress.
Thank you, Commander Munoz-Cintron!
If you have made a grassroots effort and would like to be considered for next week’s “Legionnaire of the
Week,” please fill out the Congressional Contact Report Form here. You can also email me at
kisaacson@legion.org.
MEETINGS
• This week NLD Staff participated in the Spring NEC meetings at the TAL Headquarters in
Indianapolis.
• On Monday, May 2, NLD Staff attended an event hosted by the Hudson Institute titled: “Should
the US Overhaul its Defense Strategy? A conversation with Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL).”
More information and video are here.
• On Monday, May 2, NLD Staff participated in a VSO weekly meeting to discuss the Honoring
Our PACT Act.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff attended a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing titled:
“State Department Authorization: Strengthening U.S. Diplomacy for the 21st Century.” Testimony
and video are here.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff attended an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS) titled: “The Spear and the Shield? Japan's Defense Strategy
Trajectory.” More information and video are here.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff participated in a National Security Reform working group
meeting to discuss the balance of power between the president and Congress regarding the use of
military force.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff attended a “Four Corners” Veterans Committee call on economic
opportunity issues including homelessness and education oversight.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff participated in a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer (D-NY) to discuss legislative strategies for passing the Honoring Our PACT Act in the
Senate.
• On Tuesday, May 3, NLD Staff monitored an SVAC hearing on VA workforce recruitment and
retention.
National Legislative Division Weekly
May 6, 2022
• On Wednesday, May 4, NLD Staff monitored an SVAC hearing on the pending nomination for
VA Under Secretary of Health.
• On Thursday, May 5, NLD Staff attended a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs hearing titled: “Securing and Ensuring Order on the Southwest Border.”
Testimony and video are here.
• On Thursday, May 5, NLD Staff participated meeting to discuss the Honoring Our PACT Act
event in Washington D.C.
• On Friday, May 6, NLD Staff spoke with House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity Minority Staff about draft legislation to lower appraisal fees on the VA Home Loan
Program.
Lawrence Montreuil, Legislative Director