Take action for veterans who need us
Dear American Legion Family and Friends,
The American Legion Legislative Commission sent an urgent action notice last Friday by email, calling on recipients to demand that the Senate stay in Washington and pass the PACT Act. Within 24 hours, more than 9,000 emails hit the inboxes of U.S. senators from this American Legion call to action.
This advocacy played a critical role as the Senate approved the PACT Act on Aug. 2, ushering in critical health-care benefits for millions of veterans affected by toxic exposure.
The Grassroots Advocacy Center – formerly known as the Legislative Action Center – is an excellent way to make The American Legion’s voice heard in Washington. The platform allows you to easily find legislation of interest, identify elected officials by ZIP Code and send your message. I strongly urge all our members and friends to sign up to receive legislative alerts on that site so you can stay up to speed on our congressional priorities.
Bills and positions we support by resolutions can be found on the Legislative Agenda page of the national website. These priorities are updated with each new session of Congress and form the foundation of The American Legion’s annual testimony to the joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
Also important to know is that the Legislative staff in Washington is always actively testifying and submitting statements for the record to Congress on issues ranging from improved GI Bill benefits parity for National Guard and Reserve personnel to ensuring quality representation of veterans in the VA benefits claims process. Those testimonies, including videos where available, can be found here.
The battle to achieve fair health-care services and disability benefits for veterans suffering from toxic exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, contaminated water on base, atomic radiation and other substances has been a tough one at times this summer. And little matters more to the veterans we serve – and to elected representatives who have the power to help them – than your voice.
I urge everyone in the American Legion Family to take the time to understand our legislative priorities, sign up for Grassroots Action Center alerts and make your voices heard. We have proven through history, and continue to do so today, that we can improve the lives of all who have honorably served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces.
This is one very direct way we show what we mean by…
Veterans Strengthening America.
Paul E. Dillard
National Commander
The American Legion