Teresa Morris, NOVA Director, Advocacy & Government Relations

Greetings NOVA Members –

As we enter into the last few months of the first session of the 117th Congress, I hope all of you have had the chance to speak to your legislators about important VA issues. NOVA continues to dialogue with Hill staff about pay caps, staffing levels, vaccine efforts, access standards, the upcoming Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission and other items that will have long-term effects on the VA and its delivery of care to Veterans.

Congress was in recess for all of August and a part of September with many members holding Town Hall meetings and other forums to speak to their constituents. As most of you know from reading this newsletter or from my webinars on advocacy – your voice is critical to helping Congress understand what is happening on the ground level at each and every VA facility in which you work. Bills and policies are written and passed based on issues that arise among conversations with the Member of Congress and Senators in your state.

I urge all of you to continue to discuss NOVA priorities and other critical VA issues important to you and the Veterans you serve. All House of Representatives and Senators have offices located in the District/State and continue to meet virtually with some hosting in-person meetings. Check their individual websites for COVID-19 guidance.

Other important items include FY 2022 funding for VA, both House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees have cleared about $270 billion in total discretionary with $97.5 billion for Medical Care.

For US House of Representatives: Homepage | house.gov

For US Senators: U.S. Senate: Senators

For a complete list of NOVA letters and congressional testimony, visit the NOVA website  Understand the Issues (vanurse.org)

For a list of our complete 2021 legislative priority goals: 2021_nova_legislative_priori.pdf (ymaws.com)

Stay Tuned!