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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) Unemployment rate among returning vets rises above 20 percent

The unemployment rate last year for young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans hit 21.1 percent, the Labor Department said Friday. The number was well above the 16.6 percent jobless rate for non-veterans of the same ages, 18 to 24." The jobless rate is also significantly higher than the 14.1 percent recorded for young veterans in the same age group in 2008.

2) Army will allow soldiers to recolor M4s

The Army is finally going to give soldiers the green light to paint their black weapons so they blend in with the terrain on the battlefield. Soldiers have been using commercially available, spray-on camouflage paint since the beginning of the war — despite an unenforced Army policy prohibiting the practice.

3) Current Iraqi PM holds slim lead in partial election tally

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki edged ahead Sunday in a tight race in the country's parliamentary elections after partial results from all of Iraq's 18 provinces were tallied. The early count strengthens al-Maliki's chances of retaining the prime minister's post, although he is unlikely to win a majority necessary to govern alone.

AFGHANISTAN

The governor of Kandahar province demanded more security Sunday after 12 coordinated explosions in Afghanistan's largest southern city killed dozens of people in the Taliban heartland.

The recent series of fatal bomb attacks in Kandahar was a warning to Nato forces that the Taliban is ready to challenge a coming offensive to take control of the area, a spokesman for the militants said Sunday.

President Hamid Karzai ofAfghanistan has agreed to reverse an earlier decision and allow two foreigners on a commission that will monitor coming parliamentary elections, his spokesman said Saturday.

IRAQ

In negotiations that could last months, the Iraq presidency, a largely ceremonial post, has emerged as a growing quarrel, threatening to upset Iraq’s tenuous balance between the country’s various sects and ethnicities.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Officials say, because the military sets a very high bar for ruling that troops died of their own misconduct — a practice that allows families to collect full survivor benefits — can leave those same families struggling to understand the circumstances of their loved one’s death.

Now partnered with eight universities across the country, the Pat Tillman Foundation’s Tillman Military Scholars program offers funding to veterans who demonstrate a record of service to their communities.

The Marines are constructing a vast base on the outskirts of Delaram, Afghanistan, that will have two airstrips, an advanced combat hospital, a post office, a large convenience store and rows of housing trailers stretching as far as the eye can see.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

In written testimony provided Wednesday to a Senate committee, the Navy’s assistant secretary for manpower said efforts are under way to begin training women to serve in submarines, beginning with officers assigned to large guided-missile and ballistic-missile submarines.

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. appeared last week to endorse the idea of letting troops in war zones drink alcohol as a way to relieve combat stress.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate will convene at 10:00 a.m.

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

The Senate will convene at 10:00am and will resume consideration of H.R.3590, Health Care Reform

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues today

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

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

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES 



The House convenes at 12:00 p.m.

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



March 15, 2010 House Budget marks up a draft reconciliation bill for a health care overhaul. 3:00 p.m. Monday, 210 Cannon

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



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

March 24, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Hearing: Examination of VA Regional Office Disability Claims Quality Review Methods—Is VBA’s Systematic Technical Accuracy Review (STAR) Making the Grade? 2:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon

March 25, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health Legislative Hearing on H.R. 949, H.R. 1075, H.R. 2698, H.R. 2699, H.R. 2879, H.R. 3926, H.R. 4006, and 3 Discussion Drafts 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

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