Published July 28, 2021 
Countdown to August Recess: Opportunities for AACN Advocates to Engage with Federal Policymakers
With the August Recess fast approaching, it is imperative that our advocacy efforts continue. See opportunities below to engage with federal policy makers as they continue to identify public health and higher education priorities, including asking your elected officials to:
- Cosponsor and Pass the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (S.246/H.R.851): This legislation would invest $1 billion into schools of nursing to ensure nursing education pathways remain strong during current and future public health challenges.
- Ask your Senators to support the Student Assisted Vaccination Effort (SAVE) Act (S.2114): This bipartisan legislation would allow healthcare professional students, such as nursing students, to participate in vaccination efforts during a federally declared public health emergency.
- Cosponsor and Pass the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act (H.R.2568/S.1220): This bipartisan legislation recognizes and honors the nearly 120,000 members of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps who cared for our servicemen and women during World War II.
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Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Continued Efforts to Combat COVID-19
On July 20, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing titled, “The Path Forward: A Federal Perspective on the COVID-19 Response,” to discuss the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued vaccination efforts within the United States. Witnesses included directors and officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Witnesses highlighted vaccination as a key to combating the spread of COVID-19, especially given increasing infections of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant. They also stressed that continued efforts are needed to increase vaccine access and education to confront misinformation. To view the hearing, click here.
Continue Your Advocacy During the August Recess
Explore AACN’s August Tool Kit, AACN’s Guide to Virtual Advocacy, to learn more about amplifying your voice and connecting with your federal legislators during the August Recess. AACN’s August Toolkit showcases ways to virtually connect with your Members of Congress, provides key resources, and allows you to continue your advocacy efforts.