WASHINGTON – For the first time in history, leadership from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will address Congress virtually for its annual veterans’ advocacy hearing.
VFW National Commander Hal Roesch will testify March 18 at 10 a.m. (EDT) before a special joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs held by video teleconference.
“Now more than ever, Congress needs to hear the voice of our veteran community,” Roesch said. “The pandemic has overwhelmed all of us and changed the way we do business. Regardless of the setting or format, the VFW will continue to press for the full support of Congress on our key priorities and look forward to the discussion on how to best address the issues affecting veterans and their families.”
The yearly testimony typically takes place in-person on Capitol Hill, hosting a large contingent of leaders from the VFW and its Auxiliary, as well as other veteran service organizations. However, Congress made the decision to move all of this year’s hearings to an online, socially distant format out of pandemic safety concerns.
Roesch is prepared to discuss the VFW’s top priorities for 2021. These key legislative priorities include:
- Toxic Exposures and Other Environmental Hazards
- Veteran Economic Issues
- Veteran Claims and Benefits
- Underserved Veteran Populations
Read the VFW’s complete list of 2021 Priority Goals here.
The House Veterans Affairs Committee will livestream this year’s testimony at youtube.com/channel/UCvI8xjyh45-XAJbfPcjUdbQ. Look for the hashtag #VFWDC2021 to follow the conference on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Visit vfw.org for all legislative conference updates.