Teresa Morris, Director, Advocacy & Government Relations

Greetings NOVA Members –

We have made it to August, which means that Congress is on recess and working in their District/State offices for the entire month.  It is particularly important this year as the November elections are looming and many will be on the campaign trail – most likely in a different format than we are used to because of the pandemic – discussing issues important with their constituency.

I urge all of you to watch their websites and plan to join the conversation and a take part in our 2020 August Recess Challenge. Be an advocate for VA healthcare and what you do every day for our Nation’s Veterans.

NOVA continues to be the leading advocate for VA nurses.  How to find your Representative and Senators local office information, and guidance on How to Schedule a Meeting with Your Member of Congress and other critical information can be found on the NOVA website under the Advocacy/2020 August Recess.

NOVA continues to remind Congress the importance of passing a robust budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure the delivery of timely, quality healthcare and other services for Veterans. We support and stand by the recommendations of the Independent Budget (IB). The IB, is put together by Veterans Service Organizations - DAV, PVA and the VFW – it is recognized as an accurate assessment of what is needed by VA to provide care for Veterans. Recommendations for FY 2021 and FY 2022 Advance Appropriations are all assessed and projected.

As stated in their opening remarks the IBVSOs believe that “the ever-growing demand for health care and benefits, particularly with more health care being provided in the community purchased by VA, certainly validates the continued need for sufficient funding. Although VA has fared better than most federal agencies in budget proposals and appropriations, the real measure should be how well the funding matches the demand for Veterans’ benefits and services.

http://www.independentbudget.org/116-congress/

I urge you to take a look at the all of Advocacy links on the NOVA website and our August Recess Toolkit to be prepared for August.   Educate yourself on our 2020 Legislative Priority Goals and ask the tough questions.

Stay tuned to our Social Media sites for other important legislative updates as we move through August and get ready for the final months of the 116 ^th Congress.

As always, all the COVID news and resources continue to be available on the Department of Veterans Affairs and both House and Senate VA Committees’ websites and social media with up to date information on the pandemic for Veterans and those taking care of them.

Thank you again for all you do and for your heroism every day! 

Stay Tuned!