MOAA members brought the organization’s top priorities to Capitol Hill on April 15, visiting about 300 congressional offices; interacting with lawmakers and staff members around conference tables, in hallways, and over coffee; and carrying forward the mission of preserving service-earned benefits for all who serve and have served, their families, and their survivors.

And … remembering to hydrate.

“We beat the heat,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s president and CEO, referring to record-setting D.C. temperatures. “This is an energy-adding event: You’re out in the heat, it's a long day, but you end the day with more energy than you came in with. Advocacy in Action demonstrates the power of our grassroots advocacy, the power of our members and our mission, and the power of our democracy. We’ve made great strides on these issues by connecting our members with their lawmakers on the Hill, but our work is far from over.”

Col. Bill Nelson, USAF (Ret), presents Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) with a challenge coin following their meeting -- alongside MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), left, and MOAA Board Chairman Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, USMC (Ret) -- during the annual Advocacy in Action campaign on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on April 15.

Answering the Call

MOAA members from across the nation visited offices in support of four pieces of bipartisan legislation:

• The Major Richard Star Act, which would end an unfair pay offset faced by tens of thousands of combat-injured veterans.
• The Shutdown Fairness Act, which would ensure continued, timely pay for the armed services during federal funding lapses.
• The GUARD VA Benefits Act, which would allow veterans to keep the benefits they’ve earned by protecting them from unaccredited for-profit “claim sharks.”
• The Military CARE Act, which would create a system to provide military treatment facility patients with the tools they need to combat access-to-care issues, and gather data on those issues to improve accountability and oversight.

[MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES: MOAA’s 2026 Advocacy Playbook]

“I know I can’t make a decision without having the information to do it – data is the key to strong public policy and programs,” said Marcel Minutolo, a former Army captain and member of MOAA’s Pittsburgh Chapter who made his first Advocacy in Action trip. The CARE Act resonated with him not only as a former officer, but as a data analyst.

From left, MOAA board members Capt. Kathy Thorp, USN (Ret), and CWO4 Lelia P. Jackson, USMC (Ret), along with Capt. Lynn Nash, USPHS (Ret), legislative director of MOAA’s Maryland Council of Chapters, speak with Jonathan Lord, a staff member with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), during the annual Advocacy in Action campaign.

[ADVOCACY IN ACTION: States Need Support Protecting Veterans From ‘Claim Sharks’]

Supporting All Who Serve

MOAA’s priorities cover a range of programs and people – a big reason why Cmdr. Kevin Doremus, NOAA, joined the organization and became a member of the Currently Serving Advisory Council. Stationed in the National Capital Region, Doremus joined MOAA members with ties to Texas to visit their representatives on the Hill.

“It was a great way to get a broader understanding of how business gets done,” said Doremus, who explained his connection with multiple issues: Serving while uncertain of future paychecks during a shutdown, accessing medical care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and preparing for his time after service, which would include understanding VA processes and programs.

“I keep hearing about this complicated VA system that you need to navigate, but I wasn’t aware of some of the bad actors that could make that system even more complicated,” he added. “I’m glad I know about that and can look for the signs.”

Maj. Michael Gilbertson, USA, right, a member of MOAA’s Currently Serving Advisory Council, speaks with Robert Link, the defense fellow for Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), during the annual Advocacy in Action campaign on Capitol Hill.

Not all advocates were rookies: Col. Don “DK” Berry, USAF (Ret), of MOAA’s Arkansas Council of Chapters was making his fourth visit to the Hill with MOAA. He also participated in MOAA virtual-advocacy events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is about creating relationships,” Berry said, adding that advocates were “getting to recognize the role that the staff plays. The time you take with the staff is worthwhile, not just on today’s issues, but building relationships for the future.”

Berry said MOAA’s support for the Shutdown Fairness Act resonated loudly with staffers, both with and without military backgrounds, who appreciated the importance of financial certainty … and its potential impact on the readiness of the all-volunteer force.

Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) addresses MOAA Advocacy in Action participants at a day-ending dinner April 15.

A Busy Slate

The night before the lawmaker visits, MOAA members and staff hosted an event recognizing the contributions of some of those lawmakers and staff throughout the year. The day on the Hill ended with a dinner featuring guest speaker Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), an original cosponsor of the Military CARE Act and a veteran Navy helicopter pilot who praised MOAA members for “doing the hard work, running from office to office.”

“I appreciate you in helping me in my mission to take care of our military members and our veterans,” Kiggans told attendees. “I can’t do my job without you doing the work you do.”