Weekly Newsletter (8/9/2024)

August 9, 2024

WEEKLY GRASSROOTS NEWSLETTER This week, we are asking Legionnaires to contact Congress to request support for the Contract Our Veterans Act of 2024! This act would require the DoD to work with certain veteran-owned small businesses in procurement contracts. This act would create around 40,000 new Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. The American Legion supports this legislation, and we appreciate all the emails you have sent so far. Go to the Action Center to quickly email a letter of support to your members of Congress.   Have you had a recent meeting or phone call with your member of Congress? Report your contact today! Click here to register your Congressional contact and demonstrate the power of The American Legion advocacy in action.   The American Legion's legislative agenda for the 2nd Session of the 118th Congress is available online. To review our priorities, you can check out our Advocacy Toolkit.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! August 24-28, 2024 – The American Legion's 105th Annual National Convention! Held this year in New Orleans, this is the Legion's largest annual meeting. Here, you can learn from each other's creative solutions for success and challenges like those of your own Department. You do NOT need to be a delegate to attend! Reach out to your Department Headquarters or Adjutant to register and reserve a hotel room if you are interested in attending! You can find more information about convention, look over the calendar of events, and more here.

AMERICAN LEGION CALL ON DoD, CONGRESS TO PROTECT OUR TROOPS This article's original publication can be found here.  American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer called on the Department of Defense (DoD) and Congress to upgrade security to protect U.S. servicemembers following rocket attacks by an Iranian-backed militia group against American forces housed at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. "We were horrified to learn that some of our servicemembers were wounded when they came under rocket fire from terrorist groups operating in the region," Seehafer said. "Together we pray for the recovery of our troops and our thoughts are with their families. At the same time, we call on members of Congress and DoD leadership to exhaust all resources to protect our forces from further attack. Additionally, we must work with Iraqi partners to ensure the safety and security of all personnel."  Seehafer also applauded Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent decision to relocate ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean. The strategic move is an effort to deter a wider regional conflict and to respond to any threats faced by U.S. troops and allies in the region.    "During my visit to Naval Station Rota in Spain in May, I saw firsthand how the brave sailors of the USS Bulkeley trained and prepared to respond to threats in the region," he recalled. "I have full confidence in their abilities to protect and defend our troops and national interests in the region."

BOTH VP PICKS ARE MILITARY VETERANS The article's original publication can be found here.    The next commander in chief will have a military veteran as their vice president.  With Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, both major party candidates have picked a veteran to join their ticket. Walz spent 24 years in the Nebraska and Minnesota Army National Guards.And former President Donald Trump picked former Marine JD Vance, now a freshman senator, to be his running mate last month.  "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The Post-9/11 generation of veterans is ascendant in America today," Allison Jaslow, the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said in a statement following the Walz announcement. "We applaud Vice President Harris for heeding our call and choosing a post-9/11 veteran to join her in her candidacy to be Commander-in-Chief. And notably, someone who served in, and led troops, in the enlisted ranks." Walz enlisted at 17. Harris, in her social media announcement, said Walz used his GI Bill benefits to go to college and become a teacher.  Walz was a congressman before he was governor, and Politico reports he was the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to serve in Congress at the time.Vance, the Ohio senator, became the first post-9/11 veteran on a major party presidential ticket when he was announced as Trump's running mate. Vance served in the Marines from 2003 to 2007 and was deployed to Iraq.Walz and Vance are the first veterans on a White House ticket since the late Sen. John McCain in 2008.  And either one will be the first veteran to serve as president or vice president since George W. Bush, who was a lieutenant in the Texas Air National Guard.All veterans don't see eye to eye on national security issues, Jaslow told The National Desk last month. But it's valuable having a veteran in that position, someone who understands how decisions in Washington impact real troops on the ground.

SPOTTED ON CAPITOL HILL! While attending meetings with congressional staffers, one of the members of the legislative division staff spotted this award in Rep. D'Esposito's office, presented by   Rockville Centre Legion Post 303!    LEGIONNAIRE OF THE WEEK 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.    Marquis Palmer, California Marquis, for your steadfast advocacy of Legion priorities, we are honored to name you Legionnaire of the Week!   Marquis, along with other Legionnaires, attended a town hall held at the Riverside City College Auditorium and spoke with Rep. Mark Takano. The town hall was focused on issues, both local and federal, that directly affected his constituents, so Marquis asked about VA legislation, such as H.R. 2693 (Pay Our Coast Guard Act). He mentioned how the last action taken on this Bill was months ago, and urged Rep. Takano to consider the importance of the Act. Below is a photo of Rep. Takano speaking, photographed by Marquis!  Thank you, Marquis, for your report and the time you have dedicated to the Legion's legislative priorities.  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 us at grassroots@legion.org with the details.

GRASSROOTS INFORMATION  Interested in what the Legion is advocating for in Congress on The Veteran's Role in Supporting the Military? Check out our information paper in the Legislative Toolkit. This is a great starting point for a conversation with your elected officials!  As part of our ongoing Grassroots efforts, LegDiv staff is available to provide Grassroots Training tailored to the hosting Department's needs. If you are interested in hosting a Grassroots training event, please contact grassroots@legion.org or ejohnson@legion.org.    Register for Action Alerts today at https://www.votervoice.net/AmericanLegion/Register

LEGISLATIVE DIVISION ACTIVITIES   We have been preparing for National Convention in New Orleans August 24-28th. The Legislative Commission meeting will be held on Saturday August 24th at 9am and we look forward to hearing from Chairwoman Harris and Chairman Oertel. There will be two continuing education classes on Grassroots Outreach. Check the Convention website for schedules!

UPCOMING CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS  As of Friday, August 2 , 2024, there are NO upcoming hearings scheduled. The House and the Senate have begun their summer recesses; their sessions will commence September 9th.     HVAC hearings can be viewed at: Calendar Home | House Committee on Veterans Affairs  SVAC hearings can be viewed at: Hearings - U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs  HASC hearings can be viewed at: Hearings – House Armed Services Committee  SASC hearings can be viewed at: Hearings – U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services  View The American Legion Legislative Handbook Here

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