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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) Transition programs miss many vets

During testimony Wednesday, IAVA Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino said programs that help servicemembers apply for veterans’ disability compensation while they are still on active duty are shaving months off the waiting times for benefits, but limitations and a lack of strong military support prevent them from helping everyone. Click here to read more about IAVA’s 2010 Legislative Agenda.

2) Military spouses angry that defense department suspends job grants

Military spouses were enthusiastic when the government started offering them grants last year of up to $6,000 for college or career training, with tens of thousands signing up. The enthusiastic response nearly busted the fledgling program's budget, prompting the Department of Defense to suspend it abruptly last week.

3) Afghan flag raised in Taliban stronghold

Authorities raised the Afghan flag over the battle-scarred enclave of Marjah on Thursday, a ceremony symbolizing the presence of the Afghan government in the Taliban stronghold. The red, black and green banner was hoisted over an area where U.S. and other troops have been fighting the Taliban in Operation Moshtarak – the biggest offensive of the war.

4) 'The Hurt Locker' sparks debate on accuracy, authenticity

Some soldiers and veterans — including IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff — say the movie "The Hurt Locker," a favorite for the best picture Oscar, portrays troops as renegades and doesn't depict combat accurately. Many film critics have praised the film for its authenticity.

AFGHANISTAN

NATO's chief Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is defending Europe's contribution to the international force in Afghanistan from criticism by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, saying NATO accounts for 40 percent of the force of over 100,000 soldiers.

A blizzard of bank notes is flying out of Afghanistan – often in full view of customs officers at the Kabul airport – as part of a cash exodus that is confusing U.S. officials and raising concerns about the money's origin.

General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, appeared on Afghan national television Tuesday to apologize directly to the Afghan people for last week's deadly NATO airstrike that officials say killed 21 people.

IRAQ

In a move that could force President Obama to break his vow to get all combat troops out of Iraq by August, Gen. Raymond Odierno, the top commander in Iraq, recently officially requested keeping a combat brigade in the northern part of the country beyond that deadline.

A recent survey reveals that only 47 percent of Iraqis support the Accountability and Justice Committee’s controversial blacklist, while 38 percent oppose the ongoing effort to disqualify candidates. The poll also shows a 16 percent drop in the number of Iraqis who say they will vote compared to the 2005 turnout.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a two-month, nationwide advertising campaign to assist student veterans and servicemembers applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Jeanne M. Holm, 88, who opened doors for women in the military as the first female general in the Air Force and the first woman in any military branch to reach the rank of two-star general, died recently of cardiovascular disease.

The Veterans Affairs Department will re-examine the disability claims of what could be thousands of Gulf War veterans suffering from ailments they blame on their war service, the first step toward potentially compensating them nearly two decades after the war ended.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

A Senate committee Wednesday lambasted the private military company formerly known as Blackwater, accusing the firm of engaging in "reckless use of weapons” and harming America's war effort in Afghanistan.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and military leaders want Congress to hold off on lifting restrictions on openly gay servicemembers in the armed forces until a yearlong review is completed, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m.

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

The senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate. The next roll call vote is expected to occur Tuesday morning.

Votes:
There will be no roll call votes after 12:00 noon on Friday, February 26.

SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

February 26, 2010 SVAC Hearing: VA’s FY 2011 Budget 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

March 3, 2010 SVAC Oversight Hearing: Mental Health Care and Suicide Prevention for Veterans 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell

March 24, 2010 SVAC Oversight Hearing: VA's Plan for Ending Homelessness among Veterans 9:30 a.m.; 412 Russell

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

The House will convene at 9:00 a.m.

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

Complete Consideration of H.R. 2701 - Intelligence Authorization Act (Rep. Reyes – Intelligence) (Subject to a Rule)

Postponed Suspension Vote (1 Bill):

1. H.Con.Res. 238 - Recognizing the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a Nation (Rep. Kissell – Veterans’ Affairs)

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

March 3, 2010 HVAC Subcommittee on Health Hearing: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4241, regarding State Veterans Home reimbursement 2:00 p.m.; 340 Cannon HOB

March 4, 2010 House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies hearing: VA’s budget requests for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. Time and Location: TBD.

March 10, 2010 Full House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: Structuring the VA of the 21st Century 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

March 18, 2010 Full House Veterans' Affairs Hearing: Claims Summit 2010 2:00 p.m.; 345 Cannon

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 .