Legislative Dispatches

Could There be a Physical Reason for the Military Suicide Epidemic?
Posted by Moran Banai on May 11

The U.S. Army released its monthly suicide numbers yesterday and the news is once again tragic: 27 soldiers may have taken their lives in April, one less than the 2012 high of 28 in March. Each suicide is its own tragedy, but the fact that the numbers continue to stay high, even as the Army has made fighting this suicide epidemic a top priority, raises many questions.

What Do April’s BLS Unemployment Numbers Really Mean For New Veterans?
Posted by Moran Banai on May 4

This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released unemployment numbers for April. While the national unemployment rate stayed about the same, according to the government, the unemployment rate for new veterans dropped from 10.3 percent in March to 9.2 percent in April. For more than a year, IAVA has been fighting to lower new veterans’ unemployment and we would love to see a dramatic drop in the rates. But this drop, unfortunately, is not statistically significant.

Fighting Veteran Unemployment
Posted by Tom Tarantino on April 19 2012

In 2012 IAVA is tackling veterans’ unemployment on every front, in both the public and private sectors. We are asking the country to address new veteran unemployment in six ways:

Watch: IAVA Presents 2012 Priorities Before Joint Hearing of Congress
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 21 2012

Today, IAVA's Deputy Policy Director Tom Tarantino will present IAVA's 2012 policy priorities before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. In his testimony, Tom will outline the top issues facing our nation's newest veterans and their families, including:

BLS releases report on veteran unemployment in 2011
Posted by Blake Henderson on March 20 2012

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report this morning, the “Employment Situation of Veterans—2011.” Their top line findings were that from 2010 to 2011, the unemployment rate for new veterans (Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans) stayed high at 12.1%. This means that around 234,000 vets were out of work last year. During this same time, the national average dropped from 9.6% to 9.0%.

As February Unemployment Drops, Hiring Veterans Must Remain Critical Priority
Posted by Moran Banai on March 9 2012

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released unemployment numbers for February this morning and the numbers were surprisingly encouraging for Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans. While the national unemployment rate held steady at 8.3 from January to February, the unemployment rate for new veterans dropped from an already relatively low 9.1 percent in January to 7.6 percent - and was lower than the national average for the first time since August 2010.

The VA and DoD Budgets: What You Need to Know
Posted by Tom Tarantino on February 14 2012

On Monday, the President released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013. In keeping with trends over the last three years, there will be a 4.5% increase to the Department of Veterans Affairs' budget. The Department of Defense budget, on the other hand, is a mixed bag.

Vet Unemployment Spikes in December As Civilian Rate Declines
Posted by Chandra Banks on January 6 2012

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.

In Bipartisan Vote, House Passes Vow to Hire Heroes Act
Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 16 2011

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

Senate passes VOW to Hire Heroes Act to Fight Veteran Unemployment
Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 10 2011

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.

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Success Stories

IAVA has helped thousands of veterans. Here are some of their stories:

Meet the Press: The War's Toll on U.S. Troops

On Sunday, March 18th, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and…

IAVA Helps President Unveil Veterans Jobs Initiative

On August 5th, IAVA Member Veterans joined President Obama at the Navy Yard…

Legislative Dispatches

Could There be a Physical Reason for the Military Suicide Epidemic? Posted by Moran Banai on May 11

What Do April’s BLS Unemployment Numbers Really Mean For New Veterans? Posted by Moran Banai on May 4

Fighting Veteran Unemployment Posted by Tom Tarantino on April 19 2012

Watch: IAVA Presents 2012 Priorities Before Joint Hearing of Congress Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 21 2012

BLS releases report on veteran unemployment in 2011 Posted by Blake Henderson on March 20 2012

As February Unemployment Drops, Hiring Veterans Must Remain Critical Priority Posted by Moran Banai on March 9 2012

The VA and DoD Budgets: What You Need to Know Posted by Tom Tarantino on February 14 2012

Vet Unemployment Spikes in December As Civilian Rate Declines Posted by Chandra Banks on January 6 2012

In Bipartisan Vote, House Passes Vow to Hire Heroes Act Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 16 2011

Senate passes VOW to Hire Heroes Act to Fight Veteran Unemployment Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 10 2011