Teresa Morris, Director, Advocacy & Government Relations

Greetings NOVA Members –

Well, we made it to the end of the year – a year that fittingly was named the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” in honor of Florence Nightingale – All I can say is, I think she would be proud of all of you. Through all of the chaos and crisis, you have shown your strength and resilience during this once in a hundred-year pandemic that has encompassed everything about 2020.

NOVA nurses were on the frontlines – taking care of Veterans and those in their communities. We continued our advocacy on Capitol Hill to make sure healthcare workers had what they needed during COVID/coronavirus. We fought alongside our partners in the Nursing Community Coalition to ensure any stimulus/relief packages included the VA. We sent surveys to find out how you felt during the height of the virus and continue to follow PPE, staffing and treatment news as the nation sees surges in all parts of the country.

As we close out the 116th and move into a new Administration and Congress in January, we will continue the fight.

As December ended, Congress cleared another Continuing Resolution (CR) extending the current federal funding levels through December 18. Both Senate and House Appropriations leaders are working towards reaching an agreement on a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package before the end of the session. (As this was published, details of the funding package were still being worked out.)

I am watching as House and Senate VA Committees looked to prepare a few more bills for passage prior to heading home for the Holidays and the close out of the session.  I will have this and more on the new Congress in NOVA’s January newsletter.

NOVA’s thoughts on legislation this year can be found on our website at: https://www.vanurse.org/page/congressionalstatements

A list of the bills and all VA Committee legislative activity can be found on the HVAC and SVAC websites -

https://veterans.house.gov/

https://www.veterans.senate.gov/

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your advocacy and all of your hard work in discussing our legislative goals with Members of Congress and staff. A group effort definitely makes the difference.

As we move into 2021, please keep an eye out for our Legislative Priority Goals and critical issues. I will be hosting a Congress 101 Webinar, and sending out new names and faces for the 117th Congress as well as changes within the Administration at VA.

As always, I look forward to expanding our advocacy team and to those willing to educate and mobilize other members on the best way to advocate for the VA Nursing community.

Stay Tuned!