What Ever Happened to the VMSA? Frustrations Mount in DC as VA Continues to Defy Congress
By Amy Schoppman
I
am not known for sharing personal
monetize such a pursuit, but darting
awards banquet, that my childhood
information. My closest friend in
between orange cones and using
dream was to modify the U.S. Code of
Tampa doesn’t know where I live,
ropes to scale makeshift wooden
Federal Regulations. I have harbored
my sisters recently discovered my
barriers as quickly as possible was
a nearly lifelong interest in being
religious affiliation, and when the
absolutely what I intended to “do”
involved, somehow, it whatever the
receptionist at my first job out of
with my life. It eventually became
hell is going on in Washington. As it
college assumed I was married I just
clear that the closest existing job
turns out, my work with NMEDA has
went along with it (I wasn’t married…
description was “Olympic-level
indeed resulted in the modification of
or was I?). Point being, I am more
decathlete,” so I shifted gears to a
the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations,
likely to give you my Social Security
different sort of obstacle-oriented
and I am very much involved in
Number than a thorough response to
career aspiration: politics.
whatever the hell is going on in
Growing up in the Washington, D.C.
Washington. Mission accomplished
invasive questions such as “How are you?” and “What’s going on?”
32
area, this was not a particularly
[Expressionless Face emoji].
Today that changes. Not only am I
unusual interest for a kid to have.
It recently occurred to NMEDA’s
going to tell you how I am, I’m going
I’d read the Sunday edition of USA
communications team that more than
to tell you what’s going on, and
Today and badger my father into
a few of you are probably wondering
I’m going to begin that process by
taking me to the White House,
about this very topic: what is going
utilizing a strained personal anecdote:
reciting the names of various
on in Washington? Specifically,
When I was a child I dreamt of
Presidents and federal agencies
didn’t NMEDA pass a bill? (Yes, the
being a competitive obstacle course
during the Metro ride into the city.
“Veterans Mobility Safety Act” aka
participant. I don’t technically know
To be perfectly honest I was only
Public Law 114-256 aka VMSA.)
what I meant by that, nor did I
70% joking when I said, on stage
What is the status of that initiative?
ever work out the details of how to
during the 2019 NMEDA Conference’s
And when might my company,
NMEDA Circuit Breaker