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Learn about the importance of legislative advocacy for Veterans benefits. Stay informed, get involved, and make a difference. Contact VFW National Legislative Service for more information.
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National Legislative Service Carlos Fuentes, Director
The Importance of Legislative Advocacy • Veterans Benefits don’t just happen • Stronger and better advocates together • 100 Years of Legislative Advocacy • Veterans preference • WWI War Bonuses • GI Bill • Toxic Exposures • Protect What We Have Secured • Elimination of IU and other CBO proposals • COLA round down • TRICARE Increases
Recent Victories • VA MISSION Act of 2018 • Forever GI Bill • Streamlined appeals process • VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 • Forever GI Bill Accountability
Make Legislative Advocacy a Priority • Stay informed • www.vfw.org/ActionCorps • Get involved • All politics is local! • Presidential Campaigns • GOTV • Work with our Legislative Ambassador and the VFW Legislative Committee
Make Legislative Advocacy a Priority • Respond to Action Alerts • Latest alert (Pay the Coast Guard) • 308,000 received, 50,000 opened, 5,000 have taken action, 22,000 messages • Most successful (Blue Water) • 309,000 received, 100,000 opened, 11,000 took action, 32,000 messages
2019 Priority Goals • Blue Water Navy • Concurrent Receipt (DIC/SBP Offset) • Properly Fund VA and DOD • Transition Assistance • Health Care and Benefits • Implementation • Many more…
We’re Here to Help www.vfw.org/advocacy • Talking Points & Priority Goals • Congressional Testimony • Action Corps • Voting Brochure • VA Health Care Watch
QUESTIONS? • Contact the VFW National Legislative Service • Email: Cfuentes@vfw.org • Call: (202)608-8368