ASHA's 2025 Capitol Hill Day Breaks Records and Delivers Results

November 26, 2025

ASHA’s 2025 Capitol Hill Day set new benchmarks in member advocacy. More than 300 audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) met face-to-face with lawmakers and congressional staff. And their efforts are already paying off, as multiple members of Congress who participated in Hill Day meetings have signed on as new cosponsors to important legislation in the days that followed.

Below is a look at the numbers, the visibility, and the early wins your advocacy helped achieve.

By the Numbers

Capitol Hill Day 2025 marked one of ASHA’s most expansive federal advocacy efforts to date:

Total participants: 301
Total congressional meetings: 262
States represented: 49
House meetings: 168
Senate meetings: 94
Member-level meetings (meetings with a member of Congress, not their staff): 47
Meetings by party: 137 Democrat, 123 Republican, 2 Independent

These numbers reflect broad bipartisan engagement and strong national representation from ASHA members.

Congressional Resolution Recognizing Audiologists and SLPs

ASHA’s home-state senators, Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, introduced a resolution commemorating ASHA's Centennial [PDF] and recognizing vital contributions that audiologists and SLPs have made over the past 100 years.

The resolution highlights that ASHA members are “making a positive difference in the quality of life for millions of individuals . . . from infants to older adults” and reaffirms ASHA’s belief that effective communication is a human right and should be accessible and achievable for all. This public recognition underscores the value of audiologists’ and SLPs’ work and strengthens ASHA’s legislative presence heading into 2026.

Preparing Advocates for Success

Before heading into meetings, participants heard from congressional staff from the offices of Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Kevin Mullin (D-CA)—longtime champions of expanding Medicare coverage of audiology services. Staffers shared practical advice on engaging policymakers, tailoring personal stories, and sustaining relationships with congressional offices year-round. Attendees reported feeling energized and better equipped for their Capitol Hill Day conversations.

ASHA Gets Noticed

Politico Influence, a publication widely read in policy and advocacy circles, spotlighted ASHA’s fly-in with a note that “more than 300 members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association will descend on the Hill next Wednesday.”

This national visibility helps reinforce ASHA’s presence on Capitol Hill and ensures lawmakers know who you are—and the issues you champion—before you even walk through the door.

Early Wins: New Cosponsors on Priority Bills

Capitol Hill Day advocacy typically yields results over several weeks, but this year brought unusually quick progress. Within days, nine new cosponsors joined key ASHA-supported bills after meeting with members.

Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (H.R. 2757/S. 1996): Expands beneficiary access to audiology services.

- - Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
  - Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)

IDEA Full Funding Act (H.R. 2598/S. 1277): Supports the long-promised federal commitment to special education funding.

- - Rep. McGovern (D-MA)

Ally’s Act (H.R. 4606): Ensures private insurance coverage of hearing devices for children.

- - Rep. Brian Jack (R-GA)
  - Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN)
  - Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D-NY)
  - Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH)

Stop CMV Act (H.R. 5435/S. 2842): Secures federal funding for cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening programs in states.

- - Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO)

SHARE Act (H.R. 2332/S. 1101): Ensures states with interstate compacts have access to background check determinations.

- - Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

The View From Congress

Lawmakers also took to social media to highlight their meetings with ASHA members, including Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Reps. Tom Kean (R-NJ), David Kustoff (R-TN), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA).

Many offices remarked on the visibility of ASHA’s teal “ASHA Advocate” scarves, noting that it was easy to spot ASHA members in every corner of Capitol Hill that day.

The Member Perspective

ASHA member Stephanie Cohen shared her Capitol Hill Day experience on social media, emphasizing how ASHA prepared members for Capitol Hill Day with training, resources, and messaging guidance. She also highlighted how the power of collaboration between ASHA and its members is key to advocacy success.

Keep the Momentum Going!

Capitol Hill Day is a powerful catalyst—but sustained advocacy is what drives policy across the finish line. You can continue to strengthen congressional support by visiting ASHA’s Take Action page and reinforcing support for the legislation participants championed on Capitol Hill.

Together, advocates’ voices and expertise make a difference.