While the House and Senate were away from DC for Summer Recess this week, the IAVA team was hard at work. The new VA Secretary made his first speech since being confirmed, and IAVA was in the media to discuss reform at the VA.

Following an investigative report released by ProPublica this week, IAVA’s Chief Policy Officer Melissa Bryant went on PBS NewsHour to discuss the impact that outside influencers could have on veterans and their care. Reform at the VA remains an IAVA Big Six priority and we will continue to monitor and fight for a VA that works best for all veterans. Ensure that you watch the full interview Melissa and Isaac Arnsdorf, the reporter who broke the story, here.

Additionally, this week the new VA Secretary, Robert Wilkie, gave his first public address since being sworn in a week ago. He addressed the crowd at the annual AMVETS national convention. During the speech, he repeated his desire to make customer service a large priority going forward, as well as implementation of the VA MISSION Act that was enacted into law earlier this summer. Be sure to read the full report by IAVA Salutes award recipient, Leo Shane, here.

Even though Congress is on recess, you can still support IAVA’s Big Six. Ensure that your Members of Congress are supporting all of IAVA’s policy priorities for the post-9/11 generation and beyond by going to our Take Action page here.