The Reserve Organization of America recently announced that its 2026 Leaders Conference will be held March 13–14 at the Minuteman Memorial Building.
Members will also have the opportunity—schedule permitting on March 13—to arrange high impact meetings with their elected officials to advance ROA’s legislative agenda.
ROA National is asking members to focus their congressional engagement on three key bills:
H.R. 6976, the Duty Status Reform Act, introduced by Reps. Cisneros (CA 31) and Bergman (MI 01)
This legislation would streamline the reserve component’s duty statuses from roughly 30 to just four.
A longstanding priority of ROA and all the reserve chiefs, this marks the first time the proposal has been introduced as codifiable legislation, representing renewed interest and a strong opportunity to finally advance this reform.
The Reserve Forces Travel Fairness Act, introduced by Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX 23)
Spearheaded by ROA, the bill would amend the Joint Travel Regulations to authorize reimbursement for rental cars for reservists who travel more than 150 miles to attend mandatory training.
Currently, reimbursement is generally limited to travel to and from the duty station, rather than for the full duration of the training period.
ROA identified this issue during a visit to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base by Matthew Schwartzman, ROA’s director of legislation and military policy.
The concern was later elevated during ROA’s first Air Force Reserve Advocacy Day, held in September in partnership with the Air Force Reserve and its Advisory Council.
H.R. 5339, the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act, introduced by Reps. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Don Beyer (VA-08), Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Rob Wittman (VA-01)
Named for ROA life member retired Air Force Lt. Col. Susan Lukas, this bill would establish a presumption of service connection for servicemembers who served at the Pentagon between Sept. 11 and Nov. 19, 2001.
ROA will provide position papers, a staff directory, and short video briefings via email in advance of the meetings. Members may also stop by the registration desk to pick up their information packets for Hill visits and check in with Matthew Schwartzman, ROA’s director of legislation and military policy, for a pre meeting briefing.
Building on that guidance, Schwartzman emphasized the importance of preparation and timely outreach: “I urge all our members to review the materials provided and schedule meetings at least two weeks in advance,” said Matthew Schwartzman. “As a former staffer, I can tell you firsthand that nothing is more powerful than a constituent making a clear request supported by their personal experience.”
[See image and caption in e-mail]