Advocating for Veterans on Capitol Hill:

New England PVA Attends 2025 Advocacy and Legislation Seminar

From June 10–14th representatives from our New England Chapter traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in PVA’s Annual Advocacy and Legislation Seminar. This important event brought together Chapters from across the country to amplify the voices of paralyzed and disabled veterans and ensuring that their needs and rights remain a national priority.

Our New England delegation included me, Chapter President and PVA National Director Brad Carlson, Vice-President Mike Moran, and longtime Chapter volunteers and caregivers Kathy Carlson and Denise Pease. The week began with a comprehensive training seminar led by PVA’s national staff on Tuesday, preparing us to bring a strong, unified message to Capitol Hill.

We returned home energized, inspired, and more committed than ever to fighting for the rights, dignity, and independence of paralyzed and disabled veterans. The voices of our Chapter were heard loud and clear – and we will continue to make sure they are never forgotten.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we met with several members of Congress and their staff to advocate for key legislative priorities that impact the lives of veterans with spinal cord injury and disease. Brad Carlson delivered a compelling case for the passage of the Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act (H.R. 2245 and S. 1644), which would expand vital home modification grants. Mike Moran advocated passionately for increased access to adaptive vehicle modifications through H.R. 1364, emphasizing the importance of mobility and independence for paralyzed veterans. I stressed the urgent need for full funding and adequate staffing at the VA, particularly within the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI/D) system of care, where recent cuts threaten the quality of services veterans depend on. Meanwhile, Kathy Carlson and Denise Pease brought a powerful personal perspective to the conversation, sharing their lived experiences as caregivers to veterans with spinal cord injuries – a role that is too often under-recognized in policy discussions.

One of the standout moments of the week was our in-person meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a longtime advocate for veterans. Senator Sanders commended our Chapter’s incredible work and echoed concerns over current staffing shortages and budget constraints at the VA. His continued support and attentiveness to our mission reminded us why this advocacy matters.

We returned home energized, inspired, and more committed than ever to fighting for the rights, dignity, and independence of paralyzed and disabled veterans. The voices of our Chapter were heard loud and clear – and we will continue to make sure they are never forgotten.