IAVA in Washington

IAVA has become a driving force behind groundbreaking legislation affecting troops, veterans, and their families. From the passage of the landmark new GI Bill to historic budget increases for the VA, IAVA’s aggressive advocacy has yielded unprecedented legislative victories for our country’s newest generation of veterans. In early 2009 we'll be releasing a new Legislative Agenda, along with updated Issue Reports. Sign up now, and you'll be among the first to see them.

Legislative Dispatches

Urgent: Veterans' Healthcare Threatened
Posted by Patrick Campbell on October 8

UPDATE: The VA Budget Now Over 2 Months Late... Veterans Health Care Still Suffering

UPDATE: GI Bill Checks Moving, Some Banks Holding Up Progress
Posted by Tom Tarantino on October 6

Over the weekend, IAVA received a report from the VA that as of Saturday the VA has issued 14,301 GI Bill relief checks in person at VA regional offices and has received 10,605 requests online from student veterans. The online requests should be processed in three days plus at least three days for delivery.

Update: VA to Issue Emergency GI Bill Checks
Posted by Patrick Campbell on October 1

The VA has responded and some relief may be in sight. Over the last week, IAVA has put significant pressure on the VA to get delayed GI Bill payments out to students. After hearing from us and from veterans across the country who were struggling because of delayed payments, they're instituting a stop-gap measure.

BREAKING: VA to issue emergency GI Bill checks
Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 28

In response to widespread concern over the mounting backlog of Post 9/11 GI Bill claims, the VA has taken action to help veterans who are struggling to make ends meet while they are waiting for their GI Bill checks to arrive. There are few details at the moment, but below you will find the announcement that IAVA just received from the VA. Keep checking with www.IAVA.org and www.Newgibill.org for updates as they are released.

Watch: Navigating GI Bill delays
Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 24

Going to school on the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Facing delays in VA tuition payments to your college or university? Watch an important video below from IAVA's Chief Legislative Counsel about navigating the GI Bill process.

WATCH: Navigating GI Bill Delays
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on September 18

Going to school on the Post-9/11 GI Bill? Facing delays in VA tuition payments to your college or university? Click here to watch an important video blog from IAVA's Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell about navigating the GI Bill process.

IAVA Endorses Post 9/11 GI Bill Upgrades
Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 17

Heading to school on the Post-9/11 GI Bill? IAVA has endorsed the following four pieces of legislation that will help upgrade the Post 9/11 GI Bill and help achieve our goal of a simple, equitable and generous GI Bill for all veterans.

Bipartisan Coalition of Senators Support Mandatory, Face to Face Combat Stress Screenings
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on September 14

As Congress works on annual the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), IAVA has been working hard to secure support for mandatory, face to face mental health screenings for all returning servicemembers. This type of provision passed in the Senate version of the NDAA but did not pass in the House.

Update on Delayed GI Bill Payments
Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 10

Post 9/11 GI Bill claims will take on average a month to process, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Friday. From the date a school certifies a veteran’s enrollment to the VA, it takes the VA an average of 28 days to process a payment to the veteran. Processing for the old Montgomery GI Bill has slowed to over 38 days, more than double of last year’s processing time. Over 67,000 veterans are currently awaiting the VA to process their paperwork and over 20,000 claims are over 30 days old.

Untangling the VA's California Tuition Fix
Posted by Patrick Campbell on August 12

Last week, the VA announced that they reached a deal with the state of California that would help student veterans attending private schools get up to $8,610 more per year toward their education costs. Click here to learn more.

IAVA Issue Reports

IAVA's Issue Reports offer comprehensive overviews of the biggest issues facing veterans.

IAVA'S LATEST

Read IAVA's newest issue report on women troops and veterans, "Women Warriors: 'Supporting She Who Has Borne the Battle.'"

Legislative Agenda

The 2009 IAVA Legislative Agenda covers four key areas: Mental Health, Homecoming, Health Care and Benefits, and Government Accountability.

Endorsed Legislation

See what legislation has been endorsed by IAVA.

IAVA in Washington

Legislative Dispatches

Urgent: Veterans' Healthcare Threatened Posted by Patrick Campbell on October 8

UPDATE: GI Bill Checks Moving, Some Banks Holding Up Progress Posted by Tom Tarantino on October 6

Update: VA to Issue Emergency GI Bill Checks Posted by Patrick Campbell on October 1

BREAKING: VA to issue emergency GI Bill checks Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 28

Watch: Navigating GI Bill delays Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 24

WATCH: Navigating GI Bill Delays Posted by Michelle McCarthy on September 18

IAVA Endorses Post 9/11 GI Bill Upgrades Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 17

Bipartisan Coalition of Senators Support Mandatory, Face to Face Combat Stress Screenings Posted by Michelle McCarthy on September 14

Update on Delayed GI Bill Payments Posted by Patrick Campbell on September 10

Untangling the VA's California Tuition Fix Posted by Patrick Campbell on August 12