Legislative

American Legion Executive Director Chanin Nuntavong joins members of Congress during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2021. The American Legion joined others in an effort to get language on the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act included in the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act. Photo by Jason Andrew

“Our servicemembers, veterans and their families should not have to worry about finding a suitable home, whether they are changing duty stations, transitioning from the military or simply buying a new home.”

American Legion Veterans Employment & Education Division Director Joseph Sharpe, in December testimony before Congress that revealed dramatic declines in acceptance of VA home loans in 2021, as prices climbed, inventory was scarce and sellers were fielding cash offers that exceeded their asking prices

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM MEMORIAL

At the end of 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. This ensures the memorial will be constructed in a place of prominence on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where monuments honoring veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam are located to serve as permanent memorials to the sacrifices veterans and their families have made for freedom.

legion.org/legislative

As of early June 2022, Legionnaires had sent a record 20,000 messages to Congress using the VoterVoice system. VoterVoice allows The American Legion to contact every member of Congress on large, national campaigns supporting the Legion’s legislative priorities. Nearly 35,000 Legionnaires and supporters are registered to receive Legislative Action Alerts, and 14,555 have actively contacted their members of Congress. Users can sign up to receive these alerts at votervoice.net/americanlegion/campaigns.

Key to raising grassroots awareness is the National Legislative Council (NLC). The NLC comprises 535 members, one for each member of Congress. Each council member is tasked with serving as a liaison, and with disseminating Legislative Action Alerts to their local posts.

Also contributing to the Legion’s grassroots engagement was 2021-2022 National Commander Paul E. Dillard, who embarked on a multistate tour to raise awareness of the Legion's campaign to pass comprehensive relief to veterans sickened by toxic exposure. The departments of Alaska, North Carolina and Maine followed suit by sending letters to their senators listing all their states’ posts.