Before you go

In preparation for their visit to Capitol Hill following the Washington Conference’s Commander’s Call, a packed Washington Hilton ballroom of Legion family members were briefed on key legislative issues moving through Congress.

During the Feb. 27 briefing, American Legion Legislative Director Tim Tetz went over the Legion’s legislative "drop sheet" with members of the Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion. The sheet lists six issues of primary concern to the Legion because of their timeliness in Congress, as well as information on the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor and Defense budget.

"The purpose is to get you ready to go to the Hill," Tetz said. "The mission is to drop in the offices of your members of Congress the legislative and budget priorities of The American Legion."

Included on the drop sheet is information on protecting the VA and DoD budgets from sequestration, returning higher loan limits to VA’s Home Loan Program, the disabled veterans tax, the Keystone XL Pipeline, the flag amendment and breaking a logjam of nine veterans bills that have passed the House of Representatives but still await action in the Senate.

"There is no No. 1 priority," Tetz said. "This list is just what they’re ready to listen to right now. This is what they’re talking about here in Washington."