National Emergency Disaster Services Director Michelle Belles joined The Salvation Army National Headquarters public policy team and leadership on visits to Capitol Hill to celebrate National Salvation Army Week last month. In every meeting the delegation gave an overview of The Salvation Army as if it were new to the offices of legislators and discussed the Army’s response to the severe, weather-related disasters in the Midwest throughout the year and its response to the migrant crisis at the southern border, in addition to pressing legislative issues, such as support for a universal charitable deduction.
The delegation reported having extremely productive meetings and some offices sent emails the following day for follow-up information. The delegation met with the offices of Representative Mark Walker (N.C.), Senator Ben Sasse (Neb.), Senator Joni Ernst (Iowa), Senator Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Representative Will Hurd (Tex.) and Representative Veronica Escobar (TX).