Legislative Dispatches

IAVA Testimony for May 21 HVAC Health Hearing
Posted by Mina on May 22

Statement of Alexander Nicholson, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee, May 21, 2013:Chairman Benishek, Ranking Member Brownley, and Distinguished Members of the Subcommittee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for being given the opportunity to share with you our views and recommendations regarding these important pieces of legislation.

IAVA Testimony on VA Special Claims Processing Initiative
Posted by Mina on May 22

Statement of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, May 22, 2013Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Michaud, and Distinguished Members of the Committee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for this opportunity to share with you our views regarding the topic of today’s hearing on “Expediting Claims or Exploiting Statistics?: An Examination of VA’s Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Over Two Years.”

WATCH: IAVA Supports New Legislation to Address Military Sexual Trauma
Posted by Mina on May 20

On Thursday, May 16th, Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) hosted a press conference to announce the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013, which will significantly adjust the way sexual assault cases are handled under the military’s Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Senator Gillibrand was joined by eight of her colleagues from both houses of Congress and from both parties, including Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Begich (D-AK) and Reps. Dan Benishek, (R-MI), Krysten Sinema, (D-AZ), and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI).

Solutions to End the VA Disability Claims Backlog
Posted by IAVA Staff on May 6

1. Show the Path to Backlog ZeroThe President should create a commission to end the backlog in order to form and present a clear, comprehensive plan to backlog zero . This plan should include input from DoD, VA, VSOs and related private sector experts. This plan should also include precise metrics and benchmarks that will ensure it stays on track and mandate Congressional oversight on the VA’s progress.2. Develop a Truly Digital Process

The Senate's letter to President Obama to #EndTheVABacklog
Posted by IAVA Staff on April 26

April 26, 2013Dear Mr. President,We are writing to request that you take direct action and involvement in ending the current Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims backlog.

IAVA Legislative Director testifies before the HVAC Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Posted by Mina on April 10 2013

This morning, IAVA's Legislative Director Alex Nicholson testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. His testimony reflects IAVA's policy priorities in 2013 for education and employment opportunities for veterans. Read his testimony below.

Senators Step Up To Challenge Cuts to Tuition Assistance
Posted by Tom Tarantino on March 19 2013

UPDATE 3/19/13: In response to the failure of their amendment to reach the Senate floor, Senators Inhofe and Hagan have boldly decided to continue pushing forward with a stand-alone bill to restore funding for the Tuition Assistance program for service members. The new Senate bill should be introduced today.

UPDATE: What Sequestration and the Fiscal Cliff Could Mean to Veterans
Posted by Christina Roof on March 1 2013

UPDATE 3/1/13: In case you missed it, today “Sequestration” was officially put into place. The March 1st deadline is a direct result of the Budget control Act of 2011 and the failure of last year’s “Super Committee.” DoD’s budget will sustain approximately 52% of the total cuts. DoD must cut $47 billion before Sept. 30, 2013. This will include cuts to:

Department of Defense Extends Some Benefits to Same-Sex Partners
Posted by Kate O'Gorman on February 19 2013

Last week, the Department of Defense announced that it will extend additional benefits to the same-sex partners of service members. Following the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, few benefits were available to same-sex partners of service members, but the DoD committed to reviewing all available benefits to see which could be extending to same-sex partners under existing law.

2013 Member Policy Survey
Posted by IAVA Staff on February 5 2013

At the beginning of every year, we turn to our members to help us determine our top policy priorities. Your stories, opinions and feedback on the issues from employment to education to mental health tell us what we need to tackle in the coming year.IAVA Member Veterans: make sure to check your email for information about taking the survey along with your unique verification code. If you're not a member, sign up now and you'll get an email later this week with info about how to take the survey.

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Legislative Dispatches

IAVA Testimony for May 21 HVAC Health Hearing Posted by Mina on May 22

IAVA Testimony on VA Special Claims Processing Initiative Posted by Mina on May 22

WATCH: IAVA Supports New Legislation to Address Military Sexual Trauma Posted by Mina on May 20

Solutions to End the VA Disability Claims Backlog Posted by IAVA Staff on May 6

The Senate's letter to President Obama to #EndTheVABacklog Posted by IAVA Staff on April 26

IAVA Legislative Director testifies before the HVAC Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Posted by Mina on April 10 2013

Senators Step Up To Challenge Cuts to Tuition Assistance Posted by Tom Tarantino on March 19 2013

UPDATE: What Sequestration and the Fiscal Cliff Could Mean to Veterans Posted by Christina Roof on March 1 2013

Department of Defense Extends Some Benefits to Same-Sex Partners Posted by Kate O'Gorman on February 19 2013

2013 Member Policy Survey Posted by IAVA Staff on February 5 2013