PVA Government Relations continued to push access forward as Washington sped toward the August recess. On July 11, Chief Policy Officer Heather Ansley joined Vice President Kamala Harris and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg, along with fellow disability rights leaders, for an event at the White House on efforts to improve accessibility across the nation’s transportation system. Ms. Ansley was asked to discuss the lack of accessibility in air travel for passengers with disabilities. The following day, PVA submitted a statement for the record in a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing examining several veterans’ health-related bills, including S. 495, the Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act. In the final days before recess, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee marked up one of PVA’s top priorities for 2023. Action on the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act (H.R. 542) had been delayed since last Congress due to cost concerns. With those issues addressed, the bill is now ready for the House floor. Rounding out the month, DOT released the long-awaited rule on accessible lavatories on larger single-aisle aircraft. In 10-12 years, these aircraft will need to have wheelchair-accessible lavatories. The final rule represents decades of advocacy by PVA and other disability organizations. Thanks for your advocacy!