Opinion
A White House Dinner symbolizes a grateful country—but it's only a start.In December, after eight years of combat, 32,000 Americans wounded, and 4,400 lives lost, the President told America that the Iraq war was over. And civilians nationwide began organizing parades—most notably, one for 100,000 people in St. Louis.
Legislative Dispatches
On Monday, the President released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013. In keeping with trends over the last three years, there will be a 4.5% increase to the Department of Veterans Affairs' budget. The Department of Defense budget, on the other hand, is a mixed bag.
Opinion
A White House Dinner symbolizes a grateful country—but it's only a start.In December, after eight years of combat, 32,000 Americans wounded, and 4,400 lives lost, the President told America that the Iraq war was over. And civilians nationwide began organizing parades—most notably, one for 100,000 people in St. Louis.
Opinion
On February 3, IAVA received the following letter from a civilian supporter. Over 20,000 Americans have signed IAVA's petition calling on the President and the Mayors to establish a National Day of Action to celebrate the service and sacrifices of Iraq veterans.Yes, I agree we need to have a parade. All I have to do is sign the petition (which I have done) and then go on my merry way. Sign and forget. Sign and get on with my life. It's easy to do. But let's carry the analogy a step further.
Opinion
The ticker-tape parade is a slice of Americana as old as the Statue of Liberty. It’s an honor reserved for a select few (sort of), from astronauts returning from space to military heroes to beloved politicians like Teddy Roosevelt. It’s also happened for baseball player Sammy Sosa, and even the President of Indonesia.
Legislative Dispatches
On Monday, the President released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013. In keeping with trends over the last three years, there will be a 4.5% increase to the Department of Veterans Affairs' budget. The Department of Defense budget, on the other hand, is a mixed bag.
Legislative Dispatches
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released unemployment data this morning that showed that 13.1% of new veterans were unemployed in December, spiking up from 11.1% in November. These numbers mean that approximately 248,000 Iraq- and Afghanistan-era veterans were looking for work last month. December’s numbers bring the average unemployment rate for 2011 to 12.1%, making 2011 the fourth year in a row that the average annual unemployment rate has grown for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Legislative Dispatches
Today, Congress put politics aside and sent their first jobs bill to President Obama for his signature. VOW to Hire Heroes Act easily passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 422-0. We expect the President to sign this bill in to law as soon as possible, so that veterans can get back to work. See IAVA's statement here.IAVA's Statement
In the News
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In the News
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?
In the News
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?
