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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) In Iraq, 7-year anniversary greeted without much fanfare

Almost seven years after the first bombs in the war, Iraqis went about their business with little observance of the anniversary, looking to the future with a mix of trepidation and hope. Perhaps more important was the ongoing wait for final results from the country’s second nationwide parliamentary election. IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff recently reflected on the anniversary in an editorial.

2) Ranks of amputees have risen steadily since start of wars

Nearly 1,000 U.S. service members have undergone amputations in the years since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, of which more than 229 have lost more than one limb. Among their post-battlefield challenges is adjusting to civilian life with a prosthetic.

3) Likely successor emerges to lead U.S. forces in Iraq

The leading candidate to succeed Gen. Ray Odierno as the top American commander in Iraq is Lloyd J. Austin III, an Army lieutenant general who has done two tours in Iraq and currently serves as a senior aide to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, senior military and civilian officials say.

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan's hard-line vice president expressed hope Sunday that an upcoming national conference will lay the foundation for peace with insurgents as a dozen civilians died in separate bombings in front-line provinces.

The southern Afghan town of Marjah is still contested even though U.S., NATO and Afghan forces wrested control from the Taliban in a three-week offensive in February and early March.

The effort to win over Afghans on former Taliban turf in Marjah has put American and NATO commanders in the unusual position of arguing against opium eradication.

IRAQ

Iraq's election commission has dismissed calls from Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, for all of the votes in the March 7 parliamentary election to be recounted by hand.

Thousands of protesters — many directing their anger at President Barack Obama — marched through the nation's capital Saturday to mark the anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq and urge the immediate withdrawal of troops.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Military dependent spouses who voluntarily quit their jobs to move to a new duty station are now authorized unemployment benefits in Iowa, the 38th state to grant some form of benefits.

Just in time for the 2010 mid-term elections this fall, the Defense Department hopes to have in place systems enabling troops and voter-aged dependents overseas to do most of the paperwork associated with voting online, including registering, downloading an absentee ballot and even filling out their electoral choices, according to Bob Carey, director of the Pentagon's Federal Voting Assistance Program.

New Mexico is the 28th state to adopt the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity. The agreement is a national initiative to help military children as they move from state to state and enroll in new schools.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

Trying to squelch a rumor that the health reform bill sponsored by Democrats would cut Tricare benefits for military retirees, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee vows to introduce legislation that explicitly exempts defense programs from any new health care requirements.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate convenes at 2:00 p.m.

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues today

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

March 24, 2010 GAO Entrance Conference: VA Education Benefits (GAO Job Code 130984) 10:00 a.m.; Room 601V, VBA (1800 G St., NW)

March 24, 2010 GAO Exit conference - Spending & Workload for Mental health Services (GAO code 290776) 11:00 a.m.; Room 630, VACO (810 Vermont Ave., NW)

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 12:30 p.m.

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

Supsension of the rules:

HR 4810 — Homeless veterans

HR 1879 — National Guard employment

H J Res 80 — Blinded Veterans Association

HR 3976 — Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act of 2009

HR 4667 — Veterans’compensation cost-of-living adjustment

HR 4592 — Veterans in energy-related positions

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



No issues today

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



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, H.R. 84, and 3 Discussion Drafts 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

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