Legislative Page
Keeping our Post Members and Veterans engaged in the selection process of those who govern us.
Any Veteran who honorably served this country and are running for public office are free to contact us for possible listing on our Veteran Candidates Page.
A PLEA TO THE CITIZENS OF MICHIGAN
FROM
THE COMMANDERS GROUP
Representing: The Eleven Nationally Chartered Veteran Organizations of the state of Michigan PLEASE - HELP US WITH YOUR VOTE
The eleven Chartered Veterans Organizations Commanders, meeting in regular session on May 19, 2010, passed the following motion made by the Vietnam Veterans of America Commander and seconded by the Disabled Veterans of America Commander. This motion passed unanimously and is supported throughout the State by all eleven organizations.
MOTIONThe Commanders Group will strongly support any candidate for governor of the State of Michigan who will state publicly that he/she will establish an Office of Veterans Affairs within state government separating the states veterans from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs thereby granting them autonomy and a voice in state government.
Presently, the Office of the Governor has placed veterans groups, charged by their federal charters to provide veterans services, under the absolute administrative control of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, without voice or vote.This placement negatively impacts the veterans’ groups’ ability to deliver veterans services. And, nowhere in those charters does it grant the State the right to control or direct the veterans organizations work. Further compounding this condition is the fact the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs likewise controls the funding provided by the State Legislature to the veterans organizations for veterans services. (See Act 112 of 2010).
The veterans groups, prior to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs funding control, consistently delivered fiscally efficient veterans services. Through the work of their Certified Veterans Service Officers in 2008, for example, the groups brought $235,000,000 federal dollars into Michigan’s economy through Veterans Administration claims processing, while spending only $3,900,000 of state funding.The Commanders Group is not aware of any other department within Michigan’s government that can generate that kind of investment return. A newly elected Governor who creates an Office of Veterans Affairs, independent of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, will assure continuation of fiscally prudent delivery of veterans services by the veterans groups. This fact is also supported by the simple additional reality that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs currently has jurisdiction of both veteran and military issues.
And veterans, though having proudly served their nation in military service, are no longer military personnel; they are veterans with specific veteran service needs. Michigan veterans, as well as Michigan’s military personnel, will both be better served through the creation of an independent Office of Veterans Affairs. The Department Military and Veterans Affairs will be able to concentrate on troop concerns, while the new Office of Veterans Affairs will be able to focus its resources on veterans’ issues.There are 721 thousand veterans who reside in our state and we ask them to help us accomplish this goal. When you go to the polling booth, we ask you to vote for the candidate who supports our position.
PLEASE - HELP US WITH YOUR VOTE
Make Sure They Are Veteran Friendly
Grassroots lobbying is perhaps the most effective way to let your Representative and Senators know your opinion.
Whether you are calling into a local or Washington, D.C. office; sending a letter or e-mail; signing a petition; or making a personal visit, Members of Congress are the most receptive and open to suggestions from their constituents. The key to increasing co sponsorship on veteran related bills and subsequent passage into law is letting legislators know of veteran’s feelings on issues.
You can reach their Washington office via the Capital Operator direct at (866) 272-6622, (800) 828-0498, or (866) 340-9281 to express your views.
Congressional Alphalist:
To better understand what is happening to veteran legislation as it proceeds through Congress it is useful to know the language used by our representatives as they conduct business. By clicking link below you will find some of the more frequently used legislative terms.
Veteran Legislation Status 13 JUN 2010
For or a listing of Congressional bills of interest to the veteran community that have been introduced in the 111th Congress refer to the Bulletin’s Veteran Legislation attachment. Support of these bills through co sponsorship by other legislators is critical if they are ever going to move through the legislative process for a floor vote to become law. A good indication on that likelihood is the number of cosponsors who have signed onto the bill. Any number of members may cosponsor a bill in the House or Senate.
At http://thomas.loc.gov you can review a copy of each bill’s content, determine its current status, the committee it has been assigned to, and if your legislator is a sponsor or cosponsor of it.
To determine what bills, amendments your representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship on refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html.
Refer to http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/cong_schedule.html for dates that you can access your legislators on their home turf. [Source: RAO Bulletin Attachment 13 Jun 2010 ++]
Table of Contents
Page 1 Overview Legion Views: Importance of Voting
Page 2 Congress Contact U.S. Congress - Legislation
Page 3 Register Register To Vote : Information
Page 4 Local Contact Local Elected Officials
Page 5 Adjutant Personal Perspective
Page 6 Hot Issues Important Legislation Concerning Veterans
Page 7 Veteran Candidates Veterans Running For Elective Office
Overview
The American Legion encourages all Americans to register and vote in all elections. Legionnaires have traditionally responded to the call and are among the groups of individuals most likely to cast their ballots on Election Day.
Americans have the right to vote for whom they choose to represent them in our representative form of government. They also have the duty, a responsibility, to use their right to vote and to familiarize themselves with the candidates and the issues up for decision on Election Day.
Every election is important, as the individuals elected to office will establish laws under which we must live and they will make important decisions for spending the tax dollars we pay to our government.
Good government is established when concerned citizens participate in the electoral process. Concerned Citizens and Veterans must also understand what is expected of them and they must know clearly and simply how to go about doing it.
Each year we elect hundreds of thousands of public officials whose decisions directly influence the lives and well-being of all citizens. The benefits derived from voting are produced by electing officials that are in tune with the wishes of the citizens and their concerns in providing a community, in which it is suitable to live, work and raise a family.
Citizens must please remember that your vote guarantees all other rights, builds schools, paves highways, collects taxes, maintains the Armed Forces, directs the foreign policy, and influences how our friends overseas view our Republic.
History has proven that one vote can make a difference so it is important that every single voice be heard. Each citizen should be keenly aware that your vote is important. Voting is a powerful way for American citizens to participate in their government. It gives them a voice in issues that affect their lives.
To Our Fellow Veterans & Patriotic Citizens
Elections are important to our Republic. As citizens of this great nation, it is our duty and responsibility to exercise this right of franchise by casting our ballots on Election Day and to encourage others to do likewise.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ENDS BAN ON VOTER REGISTRATION
Chairman Akaka pushed for increased voter registration access for veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C.
– U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, issued the following statement today on a newly revised Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policy allowing voter registration groups access to VA facilities. Chairman Akaka, along with Senators Feinstein and Kerry, had urged the Department to rescind an earlier prohibition on voter registration activities.
“The Department’s announcement removes unnecessary limitations they had placed on voter registration groups. VA did the right thing by taking initiative internally to change this policy in time for veterans to participate in the upcoming elections.” The Department’s revised policy includes the following clarifications:
- State and local election officials, as well as non-partisan groups, are welcome to assist in voter registration at VA hospitals and outpatient clinics. Such voter registration assistance must be coordinated by the VA facilities to ensure that it does not disrupt patient care.
- Every VA hospital is now required to publish a written policy on voter assistance.
- Information about the right to register and to vote will be posted in every VA hospital.
Voting info website:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1564
Legislative priorities for 111th Congress
The 111th Congress opened for business Jan. 6. With so much on its plate, from a flagging economy to the war on terrorism, one might think that veterans issues would be pushed aside.
Fortunately, American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein testified before Congress last September, addressing a number of veterans issues that need congressional action. The American Legion's legislative portfolio is based on resolutions, with legislative intent, formally adopted by the National Executive Committee. Most of these resolutions got their start at local Legion posts across the country.
While The American Legion's professional staff will be aggressively lobbying Capitol Hill, the real strength behind their efforts comes from grassroots lobbying by the Legion family, from town hall meetings to congressional office visits.
Lawmakers may listen to Legion representatives in Washington, but they hear, more loudly and clearly, the concerns of their local constituents - especially when they understand the impact these issues have on local veterans' communities.
Among the top issues:· Timely implementation of the new, enhanced GI Bill education benefits no later than August;
· Advance appropriations for VA health-care funding to assure timely, predictable and sufficient funding;
· Enhanced mental-health care for servicemembers and veterans, with emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury;
· Improved GI Bill vocational education benefits; and
· Focus on the Veterans Benefits Administration's disability compensation and adjudication process to improve timeliness and accuracy of decisions.
The American Legion will be actively engaged in the fiscal 2010 budget process to make sure that DoD, VA, the Deptartment of Labor and other federal agencies receive adequate funding to meet their obligations to servicemembers, veterans and their families.
One of the biggest challenges will be working with new members of Congress, especially those with little to no military experience. This is where grassroots lobbying can really pay big dividends - when commanders of posts, districts and departments can meet with lawmakers back home and reaffirm the Legion's legislative objectives.
American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion members play key roles in this widespread lobbying effort.
The Legion is concerned with a range of veterans issues. Legionnaires, Auxiliary members and Sons are encouraged to invite lawmakers to local veterans' events, and remind them of the challenges faced by those who have served - and are serving - in uniform.
Thanks to the support of the entire American Legion family through grassroots lobbying, we anticipate Congress will make wise, informed decisions on legislation that affects veterans, servicemembers and their families.
