VFW NC Ladies Auxiliary: Legislative Program

LEGISLATIVE Jan. 2011

Posted at 07:24 on 2010-Dec-30 by Legislative Committee

 

Meet your new contacts:

House Republicans named their committee Chairmen recently for the 112^th Congress. Subcommittee chairs will be named when the new Congress convenes in January.  The chairmen include the following for key committees affecting veterans:

Jeff Miller of Florida - Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman

Howard “Buck” McKeon of California - Armed Services Committee Chairman

Harold Rogers of Kentucky - Appropriations Chairman

Paul Ryan of Wisconsin - Budget Committee Chairman

Stay tuned in, by going to http://www.house.gov/house/CommitteeWWW.shtml and selecting the Committees that you want to follow.  When you do, it will ask you for your email address, and you will automatically get notified when there is news from that Committee.

For the Senate, go to http://www.senate.gov/ and select “Committees” from the menu at the top.  Or you can go directly to each Committee directly (see partial list below).  Watch this site for the announcements of new members when the new Senators take over in January.

Veterans Affairs Cmte:  http://veterans.senate.gov/ 

Armed Services Cmte:  http://armed-services.senate.gov/

Appropriations Cmte:  http://appropriations.senate.gov/

Budget Cmte:  http://budget.senate.gov/

Get to know these Congressmen’s aides.  They can be invaluable contacts as well.

Current VFW Legislative Alerts:

Don’t forget that all legislation which was left over from the previous Congress, died when not passed and must be resubmitted.  So watch the VFW’s legislative website http://capwiz.com/vfw/home/  to see new bills as they are presented.  And then don’t forget that you can click on a bill, read the text, and also send an email to your Representative and Senators automatically based on your zip code. 

You can also use that same website to sign up to receive alerts, see what bills affecting veterans are hot, read the legislative guidelines, and much more.

One more thing – in addition to commenting on proposed legislation, Americans can also suggest new legislation to your Congressmen. If you see a need for something, or have a question, get in touch with them. Their office will be of great help in this as well.

Remember – Congress works for US, and they are there to help!

Helen Carter

 

LEGISTLATIVE DECEMBER 2010

Posted at 04:15 on 2010-Nov-28 by Legislative Committee

 

Meet your new contacts:

There are many changes in our State General Assembly, and many of us will have a new person representing us.  And if you’re in the 2^nd US Congressional District, your Congressman has changed as well.  Be sure to get to know your new contacts.  Write and introduce yourself, and let them know you are interested in any legislation which affects Veterans and National Security.  Make sure you are on their mailing lists, and obtain the contact in their office who handles veterans’ issues.  Legislation is a two way street, so get on board.

Current VFW Legislative Alerts:

All legislation which was proposed in the outgoing Congress dies if not passed, and must be resubmitted in the next Congress.  So starting in January, you will see lots of new bills being submitted.  Some will be simply re-entered from the previous Congress. But others will be new or revised legislation.   Either way, the bill number will change.  So make sure when you contact your legislators, you include the current bill number.

You can be sure to use the right bill number if you use the VFW’s new legislative website.  http://capwiz.com/vfw/home/  It allows you to specify your 9 digit zip code, to get a list of all your US Congressmen. The site also lists the bills, and if you click on a bill, you will get an editable text to support (or defeat) the bill.  Change the text if you like, or send it as is.  It will be sent to your US Congressman and Senators automatically based on your zip code.  It is that easy!

You can also use that same website to sign up to receive alerts, see what bills are hot, read the legislative guidelines, and much more.

 Helen Carter

Legistlative Promotion October 2010

Posted at 11:32 on 2010-Sep-23 by Legislative Committee

To support our nation’s heroes, we must do the legwork needed!

LEG-Work

(Legislative Work)

PAC: Ladies, it is time to send your PAC donations if you have not done so already.  The Washington PAC office has been busy identifying the initial list of House and Senate candidates which may receive the funds.  They base their selections on the candidates’ voting records.  Then that list is sent to the State Commander and others in each state for review.  Their final selections will be announced soon.  As you know, the award is relatively small, but the impact to their campaign of having this endorsement is huge, since veterans are encouraged to consider the endorsed candidates.  Make your donations now – either directly to the PAC office, or by purchasing PAC pins or participating in PAC fund raisers at your local Auxiliary or at the State level. 

Support and pass the Veterans Employment Assistance Act: S.3234, The Veterans Employment Assistance Act of 2010 contains key provisions that will put veterans back to work.  The bill will improve training, provide placement services, small business opportunities for veterans and ease unemployment for those hardest hit - OEF and OIF service members.  Call or write your Senators today - urge them to support and pass this legislation. Tell them that millions of veterans are counting on the provisions in this bill to help open businesses and to simplify certification and training programs for recently separated veterans.

Support Military Voting Protection Act of 2009 - Bill # S.1026 amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to direct the Secretary of Defense (the presidential designee) to establish procedures for: (1) collecting marked absentee ballots of absent overseas uniformed services voters in regularly scheduled general elections for federal office; and (2) delivering such ballots to the appropriate state election officials.

Capitol Hill Basics:  Is your communication getting through to your Congressman?  If it is not done the proper way, your voice may not be heard.  The VFW website offers guidance on contacting your legislators in Washington.  It covers phone calls and writing letters or emails to them.  See http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/basics/?style=comm for information.

Helen Carter

bobhelencarter@earthlink.net

LEG-Work (Legislative Work) September 2010

Posted at 07:58 on 2010-Aug-20 by Legislative Committee

Join Our Legislative Program

Posted at 10:33 on 2010-Jan-5 by Legislative Committee

The goals of the Legislative program are to keep members up-to-date on all issues and pending bills relating to veterans, their dependents, active-duty military, and national security; to let legislators know our views regarding such legislation; and hold them accountable for honoring America’s promises to veterans.