Blog post

Daily News Summary 1/29/09
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on January 29 2009

Here are some of today’s top stories and happenings at IAVA. Headlines

• Officials: Army suicides at 3-decade high
• 'Difficult decisions' on Iraq, Afghanistan ahead: Obama
• Army questions aspects of electrocution story
• Army orders recall of body armor
• Buyer’s Plans to Create Jobs for Veterans Excluded from Stimulus Plan

Iraq

• White House: Obama review of Iraq to wrap up soon
• Iraq to Deny New License To Blackwater Security Firm
• Gallup survey: Iraq matters most (after Israel)

Afghanistan

• Afghan Elections Delayed until August as violence rises
• NATO says enough time to reinforce Afghan poll
• Spurned by U.S., Karzai Eyes Russia
• Inside an Afghan battle gone wrong: What happened at Wanat? (I)

Military News

• Spat stalls eye-trauma center for troops
• Lawmakers press for more progress on assault cases
• Alliance asks for steady rise in BAH rates
• Deadline extended for overseas Tricare claims
• DOD announces new officer assignments
• Firm charged with deceptive practices at Drum
• Army Deserter Seeks Asylum in Germany
• Service dog group lost $5,000 on failed Inaugural ball

Nation

• $820B Obama stimulus clears House Vote
• Jobless claims hit record peak, orders plummet

World

• Gaza violence complicates U.S. envoy's mission
• UN asks for $600m to avert new humanitarian crisis in Gaza
• Russia Halts Missile Move As U.S. Ponders Shield

Opinion

• Don't move the goalposts on Afghanistan
• For Holbrooke, Situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan Is 'Dim and Dismal'
• Afghanistan Deployment puts Germany in al-Qaeda's Crosshairs

  DC   THE SENATE       The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.          FLOOR ACTIVITY of  INTEREST          HR 2— SCHIP reauthorization          COMMITTEE HEARINGS and MARKUPS of  INTEREST          January 29, 2009  -- Small Business and Entrepreneurship roundtable on investing in small businesses. 9:00 a.m., 428-A Russell   January 29, 2009  -- Senate Budget hearing on the global economy. 10:00 a.m., 608 Dirksen   January 29, 2009  -- Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on health care overhaul’s impact on quality. 2:00 p.m., 430 Dirksen    COMMITTEE REPORTS and PRESS RELEASES of  INTEREST:       

• Inspector General Releases Investigation on VA Staffer's Email Discouraging PTSD Diagnosis:  Chairman Akaka remains concerned that VA is overburdened and underfunded 
• Veterans Organizations give Unanimous Support for Advance Funding of Veterans’ Health Care:  Akaka signals intention to reintroduce advance funding legislation 

  PRESS RELEASES of  INTEREST:   

• Inspector General Releases Investigation on VA Staffer's Email Discouraging PTSD Diagnosis:  Chairman Akaka remains concerned that VA is overburdened and underfunded 
• Akaka Questions Defense Secretary Gates On G.I. Bill, Walter Reed Reforms, and China Military Modernization 

    THE HOUSE of  REPRESENTATIVES        The House  is not in session.          FLOOR ACTIVITY of  INTEREST          H.R. 1 – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Reps. Obey/Rangel/ Waxman/Miller/Oberstar/Gordon/Frank/Velazquez/Towns/Spratt - Appropriations) (Subject to a Rule) Postponed Suspension Vote (1 bill)1)       S. 328 – To delay the Digital Television Transition until June 13, 2009, as amended (Sen. Rockefeller – Energy and Commerce)          COMMITTEE HEARINGS and  MARKUPS of  INTEREST          No issues today.         COMMITTEE REPORTS and PRESS RELEASES of  INTEREST         

• Buyer’s Plans to Create Jobs for Veterans Excluded from Stimulus Plan 

  IAVA In The News   Media Outlet: Leslie Marshall Show Topic: IAVA’s 2009 Legislative Agenda Date: Tuesday, January 27 Representative: Todd Bowers   What The Blogs Are Saying   Blog: Veteran Dissent Title: Paul Rieckhoff on Todd Bowers testifying before congress Date: Thursday, January 29 Representative:  Paul Rieckhoff   Blog: Military & Veterans: Politics for the deserving Title: VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS GIVE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR ADVANCE FUNDING OF VETERANS' HEALTH CARE Date: Wednesday, January 28 Representative: Todd Bowers   Blog: Radio Free Wisconsin Title: Stimulus offers tax credit for hiring vets Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Representative: Todd Bowers