All-Star Advocacy Fly-In
IAVA’s All-Star Advocacy Fly-In gives Member Advocates the opportunity to meet with policy makers face-to-face, to share their stories, and to discuss the issues that matter most to post-9/11 veterans.
2021
Jump to
The momentum was strong, and IAVA continued to fight and win for the veteran community.
Even with the on-going challenge of a global pandemic, IAVA kept up pressure on legislators, in many cases collaborating with other organizations to magnify the veteran voice.
15,000+
veterans and family members received support from IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF)
IAVA-BACKED VETERAN JOB RETRAINING BILL INCLUDED IN $1.9 TRILLION PANDEMIC PACKAGE
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, a Congressional response to the COVID-19 pandemic also includes the IAVA-backed Veterans Economic Recovery Act that will provide up to 12 months of retraining assistance for veterans who are unemployed due to the pandemic. The one-year of retraining program also includes a generous housing allowance.
While this signed legislation funds 17,500 eligible veterans, more must be done and IAVA calls on Congress to expand this program to at least 35,000 veterans.
IAVA celebrated new life-saving provisions in the NDAA for 2021
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 became law on January 1st, 2021, and is incredibly important as it includes numerous life-saving provisions, from increased mental health care for National Guard and Reservists, to focused pandemic care for those exposed to burn pits and other toxic exposures.
IAVA key priorities are in the NDAA for 2022
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 was signed into law on December 27th, 2021, and a number of KEY PRIORITIES for post-9/11 veterans were included in this omnibus legislation. Of particular note:
- A Global War on Terrorism Memorial will be built on the National Mall.T
- he Afghanistan War Commission Act authorizes an investigation of US involvement in Afghanistan.
- Changes to US military law will improve the justice system for victims of military sexual assault and other serious crimes.
While much work still needs to be done to strengthen these provisions, they are significant victories to be celebrated!
Other Wins
IAVA Applauds Repeal of Military Transgender Ban
“IAVA has strongly opposed the ban since its enactment in 2017, and as the leading post-9/11 veteran empowerment, advocacy and support organization, we firmly stand in support of our transgender troops and veterans and in support of equality,” said IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler.
IAVA’s Big 6 Priorities Got a Re-Boot
Launching a six-week campaign to highlight top issues facing post-9/11 veterans, IAVA took a deep-dive into the issues in February and March.
2021 Events
WATCH: IAVA Hosts Facebook Live On LGBTQ Inclusivity & Non-Discrimination
IAVA has always advocated for equal opportunity for all who choose to serve in the U.S. military, and on March 11, 2021, IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler joined LGBTQ military advocates Nic Talbott, Bree Fram and Jennifer Levi to talk about how inclusion and diversity make the military stronger.
Veterans In Action
Equity in the Veteran Community
Advancing Equity: the Black Veteran Community’s Road to Recovery, an op-ed authored by IAVA’s CEO, Jeremy Butler, originally ran in the USA TODAY publication on February 24, 2021.
“The Veterans Coalition for Vaccination”
In keeping with the times, IAVA facilitated several veteran-interest Facebook Live events in 2021. The online discussion on Wednesday, February 24th, was particularly well-received when IAVA’s CEO, Jeremy Butler, hosted Team Rubicon’s Jake Wood and Dr. Kavita Patel to discuss the Veterans Coalition for Vaccination (VCV)..
