Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) National President Joseph D. McNeil, Sr. will form part of a nine-member panel of Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) this Wednesday, March 2, as he summarizes the organization’s priorities for the second session of the 117th Congress in a joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs.

The hearing, which will be conducted as a hybrid meeting with both virtual and in-person participants, will begin at 2:00pm EST. It will be hosted this year by the Senate Committee with Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) directing the proceedings.

The annual presentations provide the platform for VSOs to highlight points of emphasis in their written testimonies submitted for the Congressional record. Highlights of BVA’s priorities this year are improved oversight of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Section 508 accessibility compliance, effective implementation of effective caregiver benefit programs, VA Auto Grant legislation, adequate funding for VA Blind Rehabilitation Service, continued improvement of programs and services for women veterans, enactment of adequate protections for guide dogs on federal properties, and support for the budget request for Prosthetics and Sensory Aids.

Blinded veterans and their families can view and listen to the live stream using the direct link (CLICK HERE) or via the Senate Committee’s website (CLICK HERE).  BVA’s written testimony will also be accessible on its website’s Government Relations page (CLICK HERE) just prior to the hearing. BVA will also share the live stream on its Facebook page (CLICK HERE) the day of the testimony for easy access

In previous years, this hearing has been recorded and made accessible through a House or Senate Committee webpage. BVA will provide further information and a link to the video and/or audio once they are available.