Mental health, PACT Act implementation, GI Bill fairness and a change in Flag Code on the agenda.
As Legionnaires prepare for Washington Conference Feb. 26 – March 1, the nation’s largest organization of veterans has assembled its legislative priorities for 2023.
Among them:
- Destigmatizing mental health services, and improving access to those services, to advance the Legion’s “Be the One” initiative to reduce and prevent veteran suicide
- Ensuring that VA is effectively resourced to deliver “the best care anywhere” for veterans in a hybrid system that includes tele-health and community services, as well as traditional treatment
- Leveling the playing field for National Guard and Reserve veterans whose GI Bill eligibility is now restricted
- Easing the transition for Afghan allies of the U.S. Armed Forces who have come to the United States, and helping those who were left behind
- Protecting U.S. Coast Guard personnel from losing pay in the event of government shutdowns
- Changing U.S. Flag Code to permit common patriotic practices at major events and amending the Constitution to return to the states the ability to protect the flag from deliberate desecration
The American Legion’s legislative priorities for the first session of the 118th Congress are condensed into a trifold brochure that can be downloaded or printed.
American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola will present the Legion’s priorities in a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs on March 1. That testimony will be streamed live on the committees’ websites.
- Dispatch