April 01, 2020

Lobbying isn’t just about passing laws. Preventing a law from passing that could harm the veterinary profession is as important as passing a law that benefits veterinarians.

With this in mind, dozens of veterinarians and veterinary students participated in the AVMA legislative fly-in on Feb. 3-4 in Washington, D.C.

The popular event hosted by the AVMA Government Relations Division staff provides an opportunity for participants to learn about political advocacy and talk with lawmakers about legislative and funding issues important to veterinarians and their animal patients.

“One of the most effective ways to impact policymaking is to develop a relationship with your legislator and their staff,” said Dr. Kent McClure, AVMA’s chief government relations officer. “The AVMA legislative fly-in provides veterinarians and veterinary students the necessary skills to successfully advocate for veterinary medicine.”

Avenues for advocacy

On the first day, the 64 participants—a roughly equal mix of veterinarians and veterinary students—received a refresher course on the federal legislative process and how to effectively advocate for veterinary medicine.

GRD staff members explained why the AVMA lobbies lawmakers for legislation and budget appropriations that advance veterinary medicine and strengthen animal welfare. Participants also learned ways AVMA members can support the Association’s work in the nation’s capital. For instance, the AVMA Political Action Committee is a mechanism for the AVMA to support lawmakers and candidates who support veterinary medicine. There’s also the AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network, which allows members to communicate directly with their representatives and senators about issues concerning veterinary medicine.

The next morning, attendees traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with Drs. Ted Yoho and Kurt Schrader, both members of the House of Representatives. Dr. Yoho is a Republican who was elected to Florida’s 3rd Congressional District in 2012. He recently announced he would not seek reelection this November. Dr. Schrader is a Democrat from Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, where voters first elected him to Congress in 2008.

Drs. Yoho and Schrader reiterated the importance of veterinarians advocating for their profession and how being a veterinarian has helped their congressional careers.

Issues of importance

Attendees then met individually or in groups with their congressional offices and asked them to support issues on the AVMA’s legislative agenda: the Employer Participation in Repayment Act (HR 1043/S 460), the Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act (HR 3771/S 1903), and fiscal year 2021 appropriations for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.

AVMA staff members had briefed participants on each of the issues the previous day.

The Employer Participation in Repayment Act would allow employers to contribute up to $5,250 tax-free to their employees’ student loans, providing veterinarians with student debt with much-needed relief and employers with a unique tool to attract and retain talented employees.

The One Health Act would improve public health preparedness for emergencies by requiring federal agencies to develop a one-health framework for coordinated federal activities. It was introduced in the House by Drs. Schrader and Yoho.

The AVMA is asking Congress to appropriate $30 million for the NAHLN for FY 2021. The NAHLN is a network of federal and state laboratories intended to enable a rapid and robust response to animal disease outbreaks.

Bailey Archey, a second-year veterinary student at Mississippi State University, described the event as a chance to learn from professionals on how to be an effective advocate. “The fly-in was a great foundation on which I hope to build as a veterinarian engaged in public policy,” Archey said. “The policy discussions happening in D.C. have the potential to impact every member of our profession and every American, and being involved in them is a privilege that should be utilized.”