MOAA's annual advocacy event brought members from across the nation to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers as part of our ongoing work to advance our legislative agenda.   

Even if you could not join us on Capitol Hill, you can make your voice heard by engaging with your lawmakers on our top legislative priorities. See the links and details below, and continue to follow MOAA's Advocacy News page for ongoing updates regarding all of MOAA's advocacy efforts. 

[PHOTO GALLERY: Advocacy in Action 2026]

2026 Issues

Ending the ‘Wounded Veteran Tax’ 

• The Bill: The Major Richard Star Act would end an unfair pay offset faced by tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans who lose a dollar of retirement pay for every dollar of VA disability compensation. The wide majority of members in both the House and Senate have cosponsored this legislation, but it has been derailed by procedural and rules issues in recent sessions. 
• Take Action: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support Combat-Injured Veterans
• Learn More: Star Act Stories | The Star Act Alliance | Star Act SITREP
• MOAA Resources: Download the issue paper (PDF)  
   

Protect Pay of ALL Who Serve During Federal Shutdowns

• The Bill: The Shutdown Fairness Act would protect the pay of armed forces members (to include Drill Status Reservists) during a federal funding lapse. MOAA supports this effort to avoid this regular disruption and uncertainty faced by servicemembers and their families, and supports an amendment to the legislation to cover U.S. Public Health Service and NOAA Commissioned Corps members. 
• Take Action: Ask Your Lawmakers to Protect Servicemember Pay During Any Future Shutdown
  
• Learn More: Latest on the partial shutdown (Updated March 31) | 3 Ways to Protect Servicemembers and Veterans From the Next Shutdown
  
• MOAA Resources: Download the issue paper (PDF) 
   

Protect Veterans From ‘Claim Sharks’

• The Bill: The Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding (GUARD) VA Benefits Act would restore criminal penalties for unregulated actors who solicit or receive fees to "help" veterans secure VA benefits. Dozens of companies are operating in this space without oversight, leaving veterans and their families vulnerable to aggressive marketing and costly overpayment for services they can secure for free from accredited providers.
• Take Action: Ask Your Lawmakers to Stop Predatory Claims Agents
• Learn More: States Need Support Protecting Veterans From ‘Claim Sharks’ |  Why MOAA Backs the GUARD VA Benefits Act
• MOAA Resources: Download the issue paper (PDF) 
   

Improve Access to Care at Military Facilities

• The Bill: The Military Care, Access, Reporting and Evaluation (CARE) Act would require a standardized digital platform beneficiaries could use to submit and track access-to-care issues at military treatment facilities. It would also ensure such issues reached the proper patient advocates, and that the Defense Health Agency could access systemwide reports to address systemic issues. 
• Take Action: Ask Your Lawmakers to Help Fight MTF Access Problems
• Learn More: Military CARE Act FAQ | Can You and Your Family Access the Health Care You’ve Earned? | A Look at the Military CARE Act
  
• MOAA Resources: Download the issue paper (PDF)