Tango Alpha Lima tackles the Legion’s legislative agenda

He’s back! American Legion Legislative Director Lawrence Montreuil joins the Tango Alpha Lima podcast as this week’s guest to discuss The American Legion’s legislative priorities for the second session of the 117th Congress.

Montreuil, who was an infantry officer in the Marines, opened by highlighting a couple of successes from the previous session of Congress. He specified the GWOT Memorial Act, which allows the Greater War on Terrorism Memorial to be erected on the national mall; and the Protecting Moms Who Serve Act, which allocated funding for maternity care coordinators and commissioned a report on issues related to the care of women veterans.

Among top priorities for the new session, according to Montreuil:

• Toxic exposure/burnpits. Addressing toxic exposure and burn pits is one of The American Legion’s legislative priorities for Congress. The American Legion has fought for service-connected disability benefits for conditions linked to toxic exposures for decades and will continue to do so for this generation. The American Legion supports these efforts through Resolution No. 118: Environmental Exposures, which supports efforts to expand access to VA health-care benefits for veterans who have been exposed to toxic hazards while on active duty.

• Citizenship for Service. For more than 100 years, The American Legion has advocated for those who seek a legal path toward naturalization — the process by which a non-citizen of this country may acquire citizenship — and believes strongly in assisting those who do. There are several links to resolutions supporting this stand in this story from last summer.

Montreuil also noted the Legion’s Action Alerts, another way in which American Legion members and supporters can assist in advocacy efforts. Throughout the year, there will be urgent calls to mobilize around a particular piece of veterans-friendly legislation. Sign up to receive these alerts by subscribing here.

This episode is among more than 100 Tango Alpha Lima podcast for veterans, servicemembers and others. All episodes are available in both audio and video formats here.