IAVA: A legacy of winning
Select a year from the list below to learn about IAVA’s impact during that time.
2022
From local grassroots events to a “fire watch” on the U.S. Capitol steps, IAVA’s fierce advocacy resulted in passage of the largest veteran health care legislation ever!
2022: IAVA HAS ITS BIGGEST WIN EVER
DESPITE SIGNIFICANT SETBACKS, THE HONORING OUR PACT ACT BECAME LAW
Finally, after considerable wrangling between the Houses of Congress, on August 10th, 2022, veterans received comprehensive legislation that includes healthcare, benefits, and a framework to address military toxic exposures, one of the signature injuries of the post-9/11 wars.
The Honoring Our PACT Act will provide health care and benefits for over 3.5 million veterans and military families.
2022: Another Historic Year for Advocacy
Jon Stewart brought passion to the fight
The comedian Jon Stewart, who has advocated for 9/11 first responders and military veterans for years, excoriated Republican lawmakers outside the Capitol after the failed Senate vote on the PACT Act in July, 2022, angrily describing their opposition to the bill as “an embarrassment to the Senate, to the country, to the Founders.”
READ & WATCH988 Lifeline Finally Launched
In July 2022, IAVA applauded the launch of the new 988 Mental Health Crisis Lifeline/Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).
The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S. 2661), was signed into law on October 17, 2020, designating 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.
The new service helps ensure that individuals and families, including veterans, experiencing mental health distress are able to easily access help and resources.
Afghan Adjustment Act
IAVA proudly endorsed the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) when it was introduced in the Senate in August 2022, joining forces with Afghan Allies in the U.S. to strongly advocate for its passage.
“The Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) is a vital piece of legislation because it will fix the structural flaws in the SIV program and provide a pathway to secure residency for those Afghans needing protection. We will fight to ensure that our country keeps its promise to those who served us,” said Matt Zeller, Senior Advisor for IAVA.
READ MOREAfghan Evacuation Survey
On August 15, 2022, the anniversary of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, IAVA, in partnership with the Association of Wartime Allies (AWA) and Veterans For American Ideals (VFAI), announced the results of the Afghanistan Evacuation Survey which focused on our community’s engagement with the evacuation and how the evacuation and ongoing resettlement efforts continue to impact veterans and our wartime allies.
READ MOREThe PACT Act Timeline
Events: Bringing Veterans Together
VIRTUAL FLY-IN
IAVA’s fight for veterans does not stop, even during a global pandemic. Building on last year’s successes, our incredible Member Advocates joined us February 7-9, 2022, as IAVA hosted our signature Virtual Fly-In on Zoom and Facebook Live to reach the largest audience possible while also ensuring the safety of all involved.
PACT Act Fire Watch
In the first week of August 2022, after five days of an around-the-clock “fire watch” on the Capitol steps by veterans, the GOP lawmakers who were blocking the Honoring Our PACT Act finally relented and allowed this historic legislation to move forward. IAVA played a leadership role in galvanizing the veteran community to stand up to Congress. And it worked! We showed the country that veterans are a force to be reckoned with.
#AAAFireWatch
What started as a small protest on the U.S. Capitol grounds, quickly grew into something bigger and more tailored to the occasion. As Congress was going on recess, leaving D.C. for their local hometown districts, veteran advocates and Afghan allies joined forces to take the “Fire Watch” on the road!
To build support for the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) across the country, advocates drove THOUSANDS of miles to meet with legislators on their home turf.
Facebook Live with Myriad Genetics
In keeping with IAVA’s commitment to veteran mental health, IAVA’s Associate Director, Government Affairs, Kaitlynne Yancy, hosted a very enlightening discussion about the importance of seeking mental health treatment and the valuable treatment insight available with the GeneSight® Psychotropic test from Myriad Genetics. This genetic test informs clinicians about how a patient’s genes may impact how they respond to medications commonly prescribed for mental health conditions.
2022 Leadership Awards Presented In Person
After two years of not meeting in person due to the COVID pandemic, IAVA was thrilled to once again mingle with donors and veteran allies in an intimate restaurant setting for a scaled-down version of our annual Heroes Gala.
The 2022 IAVA Civilian Leadership Award was presented to Susan Marenoff-Zausner, the President of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
The 2022 IAVA Veteran Leadership Award was given to General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) and Command Sergeant Major Marvin L. Hill (US Army, Ret.).
Veterans in Action
VSOs UNITED ON MENTAL HEALTH
IAVA’s CEO, Jeremy Butler, joined other Veteran Service Organization (VSO) leaders to present a united message on veteran mental health.
PACT ACT PROCEDURAL ISSUE EXPLAINED
Tom Porter, IAVA’s EVP of Government Affairs, joined WGOW Radio to explain the process of passing the PACT Act and break down the details of the issue that almost caused it to fail!
THE LARGEST VETERANS HEALTHCARE BILL EVER!
IAVA Veteran Leader, Eric Donoho, and IAVA EVP of Government Affairs, Tom Porter, recapped the major significance of the PACT Act on Maryland Public Broadcast Television with Nancy Yamada.
IAVA RATED 4 STARS!
Reaching a major goal for the organization, IAVA was once-again rated a 4-STAR CHARITY by Charity Navigator, the leading charity rating organization in America.
OP-ED: BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VETERAN HOMELESSNESS
IAVA CEO, Jeremy Butler, sounded off in TriplePundit on the issue of veteran homelessness, presenting a holistic approach to the problem and citing pending legislation with real solutions.
Video Highlight
IAVA History
Select a year from the list below to learn about IAVA’s impact during that time.
