Blog post

IAVA Daily Brief 12.21.09
Posted by Terrell Frazier on December 18 2009

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 or subscribe to receive the brief in your inbox each morning at www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief.

MUST READS

1) Military spending bill passed by Senate, headed to President

The Senate on Saturday passed a $636-billion defense appropriations bill that includes money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a 3.4% pay hike for the military and a two-month extension of unemployment benefits. The bill was approved, 88-10, after Democrats were able to block an attempt to delay the measure's passage in an effort to slow debate on controversial healthcare legislation.

2) Expert says burn pit data showing ‘cleaner air’ was flawed

The airman who first raised health concerns over burn pits at Joint Base Balad in Iraq says the Defense Department data — which officials used to say the burn pits cause no known long-term health effects — is worthless. The bioenvironmental commander who set up the sampling equipment said the smoke flew up in a 90-degree plume away from the air collectors. The equipment instead collected much cleaner air.

3) Army general in Iraq issues pregnancy ban

The Army general of U.S. forces in Northern Iraq has banned pregnancy among military personnel in his command, NBC News reported on Friday. Anyone who becomes pregnant or impregnates another servicemember, including married couples assigned to the same unit, could face a court-martial and jail time, according to an order issued by Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government on Saturday presented to parliament a list of nominees for a new Cabinet that keeps U.S. favorites in several posts critical to the war and reconstruction. Afghan legislators complained that several members of President Karzai’s proposed Cabinet are inexperienced and beholden to warlords.

Hundreds of Americans are being trained for a “civilian surge,” an ambitious social campaign intended to improve the lives of Afghans.

Despite the billions spent in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban, the country is still comparable to the worst humanitarian crisis zones in Africa. Afghanistan has the world's highest maternal mortality rate and the second-highest child mortality rate — and hunger is a major reason why, the United Nations says.

IRAQ

During a trip to Iraq, Admiral Mullen affirmed that the Iraq drawdown will proceed as scheduled, despite delayed elections and a recent spike in bombings.  Meanwhile, Iraqi forces are on alert after threats of violence during the coming Christmas holiday.

A mass grave discovered in northeast Iraq contains dozens of bodies, mostly of women and children believed killed during a crackdown against Kurds by former dictator Saddam Hussein, an Iraqi official said Saturday.

Iraq deployed security forces Saturday near a remote oil well seized by Iran, officials said, and its government pressed Tehran to withdraw its forces from the area along their disputed southern border.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Soldiers heading to Afghanistan could soon be issued new combat uniforms that would offer better camouflage based on their operating environments.

The number of sexual assaults reported at the military academies continued to decline last year, thanks to a sharp drop in the number of cases reported at the Air Force Academy.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

U.S. lawmakers called on the White House to quickly fill vacant cybersecurity posts in the wake of revelations that Iraqi insurgents have learned to intercept video feeds from unmanned military drones.

President Obama's call to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan is expected to get its first test vote in the House early next year, when Rep. Dennis Kucinich brings to the floor a resolution demanding U.S. forces be withdrawn. 

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate convenes at noon

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

HR 3590  — Health care overhaul

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues today

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues

THE HOUSE of  REPRESENTATIVES



Not in session

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of  INTEREST



No issues today

A wide-range of views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles. These views, positions and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of IAVA.

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