IAVA Strongly Opposes Increased Burden on Military Families and Retirees in White House Deficit Reduction Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 23, 2011

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IAVA Strongly Opposes Increased Burden on Military Families and Retirees in White House Deficit Reduction Proposal

Any fee increases, cuts to veterans' benefits a slippery slope

NEW YORK- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, released the following statement in opposition to the proposed fee increases for veterans and their families included in President Obama's deficit reduction plan.
 
“The President’s deficit reduction plan includes increases to healthcare costs for military families and retirees. It also opens the door for cuts to retirement benefits that set a disgraceful precedent for treatment of the military community. IAVA strongly opposes cuts coming at the expense of service members’ and veterans’ long-term health and financial stability,” said IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “Our country’s commitment to caring for the men and women who have served and sacrificed should be unwavering. Veterans entered into a contract with America when they put on the uniform.  We kept our side of the deal, and we expect our country to do the same.”
 
If you are a member of the media who wishes to arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, please contact Isabel Black at (212) 982-9699 or isabel@iava.org.
 
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 200,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.

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