American Legion and Auxiliary members are interested in legislative measures which come before the United States Congress and the state legislatures. Through lobbying efforts The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary are able to influence legislation of benefit to veterans, the community and our nation. 
7-Point Plan to Get Your Representative to Pay Attention
1. Write the member a personal letter and expect a response within thirty days.
     Do not usea form letter or postcard.
2. If you haven't heard from your member, call to ask for a meeting with the staff member in charge of veterans issues.
3. Be concise at the meeting.  Have your facts straight and all your sources.
4. Request that your issue/concern be placed on the radar screen and supported by your member.
5. If the above isn't working, stand outside the member's office or committee door.  Introduce yourself when
    she/he passes by and tell them about your concern as simply as possible.  Back up your statement with facts.
6. Send a thank you letter for the time and support the member gives to your issue.
7. Hold her/him accountable.  Send a note of appreciation if she/he votes yes.  Send a note questioning a no vote.

Flag Protection Amendment

The American Legion requests all concerned citizens, veterans and their families to "rally once again 'round the flag" and to please contact your Senators and Representatives and encourage him or her to become cosponsors of House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 13, which simply reads: "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

A companion bill, Senate Joint Resolution 19, was introduced on June 14, 2011 in the Senate with bipartisan support.  In previous Congresses, the House overwhelmingly adopted this flag protection amendment, but failed to get two-thirds majority in the Senate needed to send it to the states for ratification. 

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!  Please visit http://capwiz.com/legion/home/ and let your voice be heard.  All you have to do is fill out your name and address; a pre-written letter is drafted for you and will be sent to your local Senators and U.S. Representative.  This will only take a few minutes of your time. 

Voting 422-0, the House on Nov. 16 sent President Obama bill (HR 674) providing employer tax credits of 49,600 per person for hiring disabled veterans who have been out of work for at least six months, lesser credits for hiring other veterans. The bill also would repeal a law requiring 3 percent of the sum of certain government contracts to be withheld and deposited with the IRS as a credit any back taxes the contractor owes the Treasury. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

On Thursday Nov. 10th the U.S. Senate passed by a 95-0 vote the bill HR674, “VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.The House on Nov. 16 agreed to the amended bill by a vote of 422-0. The measure now goes to the White House for the President’s signature.

Once signed into law, the “VOW to Hire Heroes Act” will boost employment opportunities for the one million unemployed veterans in this country. The unemployment rate for about a quarter-million veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan stands at 12.1 percent. Of the estimated one million jobless veterans in American, two-thirds of them fall with in the 35-64 age group.