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 2010, IAVA will release a new Legislative Agenda, along with updated Issue Reports. Sign up now, and you'll be among the first to see them.

Legislative Dispatches

IAVA Helps Unveil Veterans Employment Act
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on April 20

On Tuesday, IAVA joined Senator Patty Murray, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Senator Mark Begich at a press conference on Capitol Hill to introduce the Veterans Employment Act of 2010, legislation to address the 14.7 % unemployment rate among Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans. The bill includes a series of proposals that expand employment, training, skills transition, education, small business assistance programs and placement services for veterans.

FLASH: IAVA tells VA to pay up lost living allowances
Posted by Patrick Campbell on April 20

Earlier this week Army Times reported that the VA was underpaying new GI Bill benefits. The VA had not increased the monthly living allowance to match the new military housing rates that changed on January 1st, as the law requires them to. After months of pressure from numerous groups including IAVA, the VA has announced that they will retroactively pay the higher living allowance rates.

IAVA Testifies on Veterans' Employment Challenges
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on April 15

Today, IAVA Legislative Associate Tim Embree testified before the House Veterans Affairs' Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on challenges impacting veterans' employment amid the economic crisis. Click here to read his testimony.

House Passes the “End Veteran Homelessness Act"
Posted by Tim Embree on March 24

With Monday’s vote in the House, we are one step closer to bringing all of our veterans in from the cold and off the streets. Endorsed by IAVA, H.R. 4810, the End Veteran Homelessness Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously today.

IAVA Seal Unveiled at VA Ceremony
Posted by Todd Bowers on March 23

On Tuesday, IAVA was honored to present our seal to Dr. Robert A. Petzel, M.D., Undersecretary for Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our seal will be mounted on the Wall of Partnerships, along with nine other Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), in the VA headquarters building in Washington DC.

IAVA's Tom Tarantino Testifies on 2010 Legislative Priorities
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 18

On Thursday, IAVA Legislative Associate Tom Tarantino testified before the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees to present IAVA's 2010 Legislative Priorities: modernize the VA claims processing system, secure jobs for our nation’s heroes, streamline and simplify the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and support better care for female veterans.

UPDATE: Pentagon will Restore Education Grants for Spouses
Posted by Tim Embree on March 12

Recently, the Department of Defense (DoD) unexpectedly halted the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MCAA), a program which grants roughly 136,000 military spouses $6,000 towards university tuition, career training or professional certification, because of unanticipated overwhelming popularity. Today, IAVA learned the program has been reinstated; and we are calling on the DoD to open this program to all military spouses.

Big moves by the House Veterans Affairs Committee
Posted by Tim Embree on March 10

This morning the U.S. House Veterans Committee held a quick, down and dirty markup session for a set of bills that IAVA has been tracking, including the Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act and the National Guard Employment Protection Act. Read here for details.

WATCH: IAVA Legislative Associate Tim Embree Testifies before Congress
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 5

On February 25th, IAVA Legislative Associate Tim Embree testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommitee on Economic Opportunity. Click here to watch the webcast.

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff Testifies Before House Veterans Affairs Committee
Posted by Michelle McCarthy on February 4

Today, IAVA Executive Director and Founder Paul Rieckhoff testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee on how the Department of Veterans Affairs budget request for 2011 and 2012 will impact a new generation of veterans. Click here to read his testimony.

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 disability claims and benefits, "Red Tape: Veterans Fight New Battles for Care and Benefits."

Legislative Agenda

The 2010 IAVA Legislative Agenda covers five key areas: Cut the Red Tape, Build the Next Greatest Generation, Guarantee the Best Care Anywhere, Confront Hidden Injuries, and Smooth the Transition Home.

IAVA in Washington

Legislative Dispatches

IAVA Helps Unveil Veterans Employment Act Posted by Michelle McCarthy on April 20

FLASH: IAVA tells VA to pay up lost living allowances Posted by Patrick Campbell on April 20

IAVA Testifies on Veterans' Employment Challenges Posted by Michelle McCarthy on April 15

House Passes the “End Veteran Homelessness Act" Posted by Tim Embree on March 24

IAVA Seal Unveiled at VA Ceremony Posted by Todd Bowers on March 23

IAVA's Tom Tarantino Testifies on 2010 Legislative Priorities Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 18

UPDATE: Pentagon will Restore Education Grants for Spouses Posted by Tim Embree on March 12

Big moves by the House Veterans Affairs Committee Posted by Tim Embree on March 10

WATCH: IAVA Legislative Associate Tim Embree Testifies before Congress Posted by Michelle McCarthy on March 5

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff Testifies Before House Veterans Affairs Committee Posted by Michelle McCarthy on February 4