The VFW National Legislative Program is directed by the VFW National Legislative Service (NLS) which establishes the VFW's national legislative priorities and actively advocates on veterans' behalf.  The VFW NLS is headquartered at the VFW Memorial Building in the heart of Washington, D.C. which allows the VFW to monitor all federal legislation affecting veterans, alert VFW membership to key legislation under consideration and to actively lobby Congress and the administration on veterans' issues. 

The VFW’s professional legislative staff speaks daily on behalf of the 1.4 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary by testifying at congressional committee hearings and interacting with congressional members.  Through these efforts the VFW has played an instrumental role in nearly every piece of veterans' legislation passed since the beginning of the 20th century. Everything we do on Capitol Hill is with the VFW’s Priority Goals and veterans' well-being in mind.  NLS's marching orders are formed based on the voice of our membership through their action on resolutions adopted by VFW delegates at the annual VFW National Convention.  With the strength of our active and supportive membership, our voice on Capitol Hill cannot be ignored!

NLS is assisted in their work on behalf of our Nation’s veterans through the grassroots efforts of the members of the National Legislative Committee.  The Committee members are appointed by the Commander-in-Chief as recommended by Department leadership to multiyear appointments.  There are two Committee members per Department creating a knowledgeable and formidable force when speaking on your behalf to our federal legislators and their staff.  Your National Committee Members from Michigan are Past State Commander Kimberly Napoleon and Past State Commander Ray Lopez.

This team is the defending voice that stands for Michigan’s veterans in Washington D.C. They advocate for justice for our nation's veterans, service members and military families on an array of issues.  The National Committee does not wait to hear how legislation will affect our veterans, service members, and their families.   They help shape it in the beginning. This is accomplished by aggressively presenting VFW National Legislative concerns to our federal lawmakers both at home and in Washington D.C..  Keeping their fingers on the pulse of local veteran’s concerns through contacts with Post and District leaders, our Committee members form the bridge between Michigan’s Congressional delegation and our members.

Twice each year; once in the Fall, and then again in the Winter, Committee members meet with the elected US Legislative Members from Michigan. These face-to-face team meetings with legislators, and their key staff, allow them to present the concerns of the Veterans of Foreign Wars followed with a direct call to action.  This action may be in the form of supporting a piece of pending legislation in one form or another.   In some cases, this action may be urging opposition to a piece of legislation that does not positively impact veterans and their families.

These National meetings are then followed up with weekly and monthly contacts with legislators when they visit their home Districts.  In doing so, our Committee members are able to establish important relationships with our elected representatives.   The work of our dedicated Committee members supporting the NLS professional staff has established the Veterans of Foreign Wars US as one of the most respected voices in Washington, D.C., and within local governments across America.

Among the VFW's most recent and important legislative victories was expanding college education benefits for military service members with the signing of the Forever GI Bill, and ensuring America's service members and veterans receive the care they deserve - whenever and wherever they need it - by passing the VA MISSION Act.

To access the NLS Advocacy webpage and learn more please go HERE.

This year’s National Legislative Theme: "Honor the Contract,” is a mandate on congress to abide by their promise- "to care for those who have borne the battle.”  Below you will find the topics of what your VFW National Legislative Committee members are advocating for during 2025-2026. 

Read or download the National Legislative Service Priorities Brochure from here:  2025 VFW National Legislative Priorities 

The Priorities webpage is here: 2025 VFW National Legislative Priorities Webpage