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Talking
Points
for
Meetings
with
Members
of
Committees
Important
to VA
Research
All
members
of
Congress
should
be
informed
about
the
benefits
and
accomplishments
of VA
research.
However,
legislators
on
committees
that
have
jurisdiction
over VA
policy
and
funding
have the
most
influence
over the
final
outcome.
Click
here
to
determine
whether
your
legislators
are on
any of
these
committees.
When
meeting
with
legislators
who are
NOT on
key
committees, use the general
talking
points
to sell
the
program
as a
whole.
Incorporate
in the
discussion
FOVA's
funding
recommendations
for the
coming
year. Ask your
legislators
to send
letters
to their
colleagues
on the
key
committees
urging
them to
support
funding
at
FOVA’s
recommended
levels.
When
meeting
with
legislators
who are
on key
committees,
incorporate
in the
discussion
specific
requests
that are
within
the
members'
power.
Keep in
mind
that
Members
of the
House
and
Senate
Committees
on
Veterans
Affairs
and the
appropriations
subcommittees
and
their
staffs
are
often
knowledgeable
about VA
programs.
However,
it is
surprising
how many
Washington-based
staff
members
have
never
visited
a VA
medical
center.
It is a
good
idea to
ask a
few
questions
to
assess
their
familiarity
with VA
health
care and
research.
House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees: have jurisdiction over VA policy. In addition to the general talking points:
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Express appreciation for the committee’s support for the VA research program. |
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Discuss the impact on your research or your facility research program of recent increases or cuts in the appropriation. Encourage the member to urge his/her colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and the House Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs to support funding at FOVA’s recommended levels for research and facility improvements. |
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and
House Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs: have jurisdiction over VA funding. In addition to the general talking points:
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Discuss the impact on your research or your facility research program of recent increases or cuts in the appropriation. |
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Urge the member to support funding for VA research at FOVA’s recommended level. |
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Ask the member to support FOVA’s recommendation for an appropriation for research facility improvements.
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