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Legislative Dispatches   

IAVA's Statement before the Senate Committee on Veteran's Affairs -- May 15, 2013
Posted by Mina on June 12

Chairman Sanders, Ranking Member Burr, and Distinguished Members of the Committee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for being given the opportunity to share with you our views and recommendations regarding these important pieces of legislation.

Congressional Allies to #EndtheVABacklog
Posted by Mina on June 5

IAVA is calling for allies in Congress to stand with us in calling on the President to provide leadership on ending the VA backlog. In the Senate, 67 Senators from both sides of the aisle signed an open letter to President Obama calling on him to take direct action to end the VA disability claims backlog.

IAVA Testimony for May 21 HVAC Health Hearing
Posted by Mina on May 22

Statement of Alexander Nicholson, Legislative Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee, May 21, 2013:Chairman Benishek, Ranking Member Brownley, and Distinguished Members of the Subcommittee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for being given the opportunity to share with you our views and recommendations regarding these important pieces of legislation.

IAVA Testimony on VA Special Claims Processing Initiative
Posted by Mina on May 22

Statement of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America before the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, May 22, 2013Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Michaud, and Distinguished Members of the Committee:On behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), I would like to extend our gratitude for this opportunity to share with you our views regarding the topic of today’s hearing on “Expediting Claims or Exploiting Statistics?: An Examination of VA’s Special Initiative to Process Rating Claims Over Two Years.”

WATCH: IAVA Supports New Legislation to Address Military Sexual Trauma
Posted by Mina on May 20 2013

On Thursday, May 16th, Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) hosted a press conference to announce the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013, which will significantly adjust the way sexual assault cases are handled under the military’s Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Senator Gillibrand was joined by eight of her colleagues from both houses of Congress and from both parties, including Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Begich (D-AK) and Reps. Dan Benishek, (R-MI), Krysten Sinema, (D-AZ), and Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI).

Solutions to End the VA Disability Claims Backlog
Posted by IAVA Staff on May 6 2013

1. Show the Path to Backlog ZeroThe President should create a commission to end the backlog in order to form and present a clear, comprehensive plan to backlog zero . This plan should include input from DoD, VA, VSOs and related private sector experts. This plan should also include precise metrics and benchmarks that will ensure it stays on track and mandate Congressional oversight on the VA’s progress.2. Develop a Truly Digital Process

The Senate's letter to President Obama to #EndTheVABacklog
Posted by IAVA Staff on April 26 2013

April 26, 2013Dear Mr. President,We are writing to request that you take direct action and involvement in ending the current Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims backlog.  

IAVA Legislative Director testifies before the HVAC Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Posted by Mina on April 10 2013

This morning, IAVA's Legislative Director Alex Nicholson testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. His testimony reflects IAVA's policy priorities in 2013 for education and employment opportunities for veterans. Read his testimony below. 

Senators Step Up To Challenge Cuts to Tuition Assistance
Posted by Tom Tarantino on March 19 2013

UPDATE 3/19/13: In response to the failure of their amendment to reach the Senate floor, Senators Inhofe and Hagan have boldly decided to continue pushing forward with a stand-alone bill to restore funding for the Tuition Assistance program for service members. The new Senate bill should be introduced today.

UPDATE: What Sequestration and the Fiscal Cliff Could Mean to Veterans
Posted by Christina Roof on March 1 2013

UPDATE 3/1/13: In case you missed it, today “Sequestration” was officially put into place. The March 1st deadline is a direct result of the Budget control Act of 2011 and the failure of last year’s “Super Committee.” DoD’s budget will sustain approximately 52% of the total cuts. DoD must cut $47 billion before Sept. 30, 2013. This will include cuts to:

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Success Stories

IAVA has helped thousands of veterans. Here are some of their stories:

Meet the Press: The War's Toll on U.S. Troops

On Sunday, March 18th, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and…
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IAVA Helps President Unveil Veterans Jobs Initiative

On August 5th, IAVA Member Veterans joined President Obama at the Navy Yard…
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