Daily News Summary 1/29/09
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on January 29
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
Success Stories
IAVA has helped thousands of veterans. Here are some of their stories:

Team IAVA at Pat's Run 2010
On April 17th, hundreds of IAVA Member Veterans in 14 cities nationwide and…
IAVA Helps Spearhead Critical Legislation for Women Warriors, Veteran Caregivers
On May 5th, President Obama signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health…
Second Annual Heroes Celebration
On April 29th, Cameron Diaz, Norman Lear, Ron Meyer and Nick Styne hosted…

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