Press Releases: VA

Blizzard Doesn't Stop Veterans from Storming the Capitol

Despite two storms that crippled the Capital District, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, pushed through the snow and have been triumphant during their annual Storm the Hill week.

Health Care for Veterans Addressed by Obama, Shinseki

August 17

NEW YORK—Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to the President’s remarks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Convention in Phoenix and two town hall meetings focusing on veterans’ issues conducted by Senator Arlen Specter and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki in Pennsylvania:

President Signs Two Major Provisions for New Veterans into Law

June 24

NEW YORK-Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, applauded President Obama for signing the 2009 war supplemental bill into law, which includes two critical provisions for new veterans and their families. The first guarantees retroactive payments for all troops stop-lossed since 9/11 and the second establishes transferability of the new GI Bill to children of servicemembers killed on active-duty since 9/11.

As President Talks Healthcare, House Says Yes to Advance Funding for VA

June 23

NEW YORK–Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, applauded the House for passing the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (H.R. 1016). This critical legislation will provide timely, predictable funding for veterans’ health care by authorizing Congress to approve a health care budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at least one year in advance:

IAVA Joins Pelosi, Lawmakers to Acknowledge Progress on Three Top Issues for Veterans

June 17

Washington, DC—Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, other lawmakers and the National Military Families Association (NMFA) on Capitol Hill in applauding the House of Representatives for taking action on three critical issues impacting veterans and military families:

IAVA Joins Members of Congress in National Press Conference Calling for Action on Burn Pits in Iraq, Afghanistan

June 10

Washington, DC—Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will join members of Congress, veterans and their families in a press conference to address the concerns regarding burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Respond on President Obama's 100th Day in Office

April 29

NEW YORK - Today, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following review of President Obama's commitment to veterans' issues in his first 100 days in office:

IAVA Executive Director Responds to DHS Report

April 16

NEW YORK - Today, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to a Department of Homeland Security report concerning rightwing extremism:

In Historic Day, IAVA Stands With President Obama at the White House for Two Critical Announcements about Troops’ and Veterans’ Healthcare

April 9

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today at the White House, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff joined President Obama, Secretary Shinseki and Secretary Gates in announcing support for advance funding of VA healthcare and an overhaul of the military and veterans’ record system. Prior to the announcement, President Obama met with Rieckhoff and the heads of other leading veterans’ organizations for the second time in the past month.

IAVA Applauds Passage of Akaka-Thune-Inhofe Amendment

April 3

NEW YORK – Today, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement in response to the Senate's passage of the Akaka-Thune-Inhofe amendment: