All-Star Advocacy Fly-In

IAVA’s fight for veterans does not stop. 2022’s wins were HUGE, but there is still much to be done to support post-9/11 veterans. Building on last year’s successes, IAVA’s All-Star Advocacy Fly-In returned in-person once again to optimize efforts to reach policy makers and passionately express our concerns regarding the issues that matter most to our veteran members.

Meetings

Each year, IAVA’s Member Advocates meet with Senators and Representatives to discuss the issues that matter most to post-9/11 veterans.

AVA Staff and Member Advocates met with 140 Senators, Representatives and their legislative staffs. Read the Press Release summarizing the 2023 Member Fly-In.

Here’s a quick overview of our outreach during the week:

Tuesday, February 28, 2023:

• Multiple meetings with policymakers to urge support for the Major Richard Star Act and more
• Press Conference on the healthcare program for 9/11 responders and survivors
• Press Conference on the Maj. Richard Star Act: 3 PM at the Senate Swamp

Wednesday, March 1, 2023:

• Joint Senate and House Committees on Veterans Affairs Hearing: 10 AM in the Russell Building
• Multiple meetings with policymakers to urge support for the Major Richard Star Act and more

Thursday, March 2, 2023:

• Virtual meetings with policymakers to urge support for the Major Richard Star Act and more

2022 Meetings

IAVA Staff and Member Advocates met virtually with a number of Senators, Representatives and their legislative staffs. Here’s a quick overview of our outreach during the week:

Tuesday, February 8, 2022 — 11 meetings, including:

• Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
• Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI)
• HVAC Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA)
• Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH)
• Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Wednesday, February 9, 2022 — 4 meetings, including:

• Representative Mike Bost (R-IL)
• Representative Jason Crow (D- CO)
• Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)

2021 Meetings

IAVA Staff and Member Advocates met with Senators, Representatives, and IAVA staff gave testimony at a hearing on Mental Health. Here’s a quick overview of what we did during the week:

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

• Senator Todd Young (R-ID)
• Senator Ed Markey (D-MA)
• Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Wednesday, March 23, 2021

• Senator Mike Braun (R-IN)
• Representative Ken Kalvert (R-CA)
• Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI)
• HVAC Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA)
• Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)
• Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA)
• SVAC Hearing on The Hannon Act and Mental Health during Pandemic

Thursday, March 24, 2021

• Representative Jackie Walorski (R-IN)
• Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), HASC Chairman
• 5:00PM EDT Facebook Live with Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-IL)