Externs on the Hill

Submitted by Cristina Blanco, University of Minnesota

Meeting with North Carolina Representative Don Davis to discuss agriculture.

As the American Veterinary Medical Association Government Relations Extern for Spring 2024, I have had the amazing opportunity to watch veterinary medicine and policy merge to work toward the betterment of animals and humans throughout our country.

So far, I have been able to meet many veterinarians who work on Capitol Hill and within a variety of federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Many also had experience as fellows for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Each of these veterinarians had a unique perspective on how their medical training relates to important policy work. For example, I met with veterinarians at USAID who  utilize their training toward a multisystem approach to global health. Their veterinary background is incredibly important in addressing global food shortages. Each day, more than 800 million people across the world lack enough food to eat. Their work with Feed the Future Innovation Labs joins USAID with universities to address global agriculture and food security issues. By understanding the details and importance of food animal production systems, veterinarians play a pivotal role in providing the global community with a safe protein source. 

I also had the wonderful opportunity to watch the floor proceedings of the House of Representatives.  These proceedings included discussions involving a wide range of bills from national security to wildlife conservation.  Each representative spoke for their constituents, supporting or disagreeing with bills. Some bills, like the Explore Act that expands outdoor recreation opportunities, were supported by representatives from across the United States.  

With the policy experts at the AVMA, I was able to meet with congressional offices to discuss bills that are important to the veterinary profession. These include the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act (H.R. 4355/ S.2829), which allows for the recruitment and retention of rural veterinarians, and the Healthy Dog Importation Act (H.R. 1184/ S. 502), which strengthens guidelines for the safe importation of dogs to prevent infectious disease. I was also able to help advocate for federal funding that would increase veterinary services in underserved areas by aiding veterinarians with educational loan debt through the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and Veterinary Services Grant Program. The AVMA is also working to secure additional funding for the National Wildlife Health Center in Wisconsin. 

By discussing these issues with congressional staff, we were able to communicate the veterinary perspective on public policy that directly impacts the profession. It has truly been an amazing experience to see how policy and veterinary medicine merge in the world of advocacy.