In the News
On January 28th, IAVA members came from as far away as Montana to march in St. Louis for the Welcome Home the Heroes Parade to honor veterans of Iraq. IAVA local leader Angela Peacock led our element of 30 IAVA members from all over the region.
In the News
The Department of Defense announced today that it will request $525 billion in funding for the Fiscal Year 2013. However, DoD is required to reduce $487 billion in planned spending over the next 10 years. To achieve this objective, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta addressed several defense priorities that could impact the IAVA community. Click here to learn more.
Opinion
If the NFC and AFC title games from this past weekend reminded us of anything, it’s that America loves clutch performances. The first three quarters are great for backdrop, but it’s performing when the pressure is at its highest that creates the best memories and the biggest stars. A quarterback that can perform under pressure makes all the difference in the world. For some of you, that means Tom Brady. For Giants fans like me, it’s been Eli Manning all season long. When the game is on the line, the great players step up.
Opinion
Our troops are many things to many people. Heroes, parents, diplomats, victims, villains, victors. But as the GOP Primary races roll through New Hampshire this week, there is one thing that all of America must understand they're not: political props.
Opinion
The Christmas cards I’m sending this year feature a photograph of two Border collies and several ducks in a snowbank. The dogs and the ducks appear perfectly at ease and content in each others’ company, and a caption above the picture reads, “And on Earth, Peace.” I love the picture and the reference to Luke 2:14. But, it has occurred to me that the picture might not actually be compatible with its quoted Scripture. Border collies are not, after all, lions who lie down with lambs. Rather, Border collies are defenders of lambs against lions.
Legislative Dispatches
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released unemployment data this morning that showed that 13.1% of new veterans were unemployed in December, spiking up from 11.1% in November. These numbers mean that approximately 248,000 Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans were looking for work last month. December’s numbers bring the average unemployment rate for 2011 to 12.1%, making 2011 the fourth year in a row that the average annual unemployment rate has grown for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Legislative Dispatches
Today, Congress put politics aside and sent their first jobs bill to President Obama for his signature. VOW to Hire Heroes Act easily passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 422-0. We expect the President to sign this bill in to law as soon as possible, so that veterans can get back to work. See IAVA's statement here.IAVA's Statement
Legislative Dispatches
Today, the Senate passed what will likely be the first jobs bill to reach President Obama’s desk. By a vote of 95-0 the VOW to Hire Heroes Act was passed and sent to the House of Representatives for a final vote.
In the News
On January 28th, IAVA members came from as far away as Montana to march in St. Louis for the Welcome Home the Heroes Parade to honor veterans of Iraq. IAVA local leader Angela Peacock led our element of 30 IAVA members from all over the region.
In the News
Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom.
