Blog post

IAVA Conveys Frustrations to President Obama
Posted by Blake Henderson on July 29 2010

IAVA released the following statement regarding today's meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama, IAVA Deputy Executive Director Todd Bowers, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, National Security Advisor James Jones, and others:

“Today’s meeting was the beginning of a long overdue conversation between the Administration and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This year we have heard the President talk extensively about war policy, but we have heard very little about real support for returning warriors.

The situation facing our newest veterans is urgent. The suicide rate for active duty soldiers is the highest in decades, the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans is close to 13%, and tens of thousands of young veterans wait years for their VA disability benefits. And so far this year, Washington has failed to deliver in any of these critical areas.

To confront these challenges, leaders in Washington must do more than hold a meeting. They must put politics aside and prioritize veteran’s issues by focusing the national dialogue on our newest heroes and acting on vital initiatives. Specifically, we need the Administration to lead a bold National Suicide Awareness Campaign, while also pushing Congress to act swiftly on upgrades to the New GI Bill, disability reform, and comprehensive employment legislation.

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are tired of waiting. If politicians want our votes in November, they need to work with us now,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff.

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