As the leading voice for the post-9/11 veteran community, IAVA continues to facilitate change and create awareness about issues and topics impacting our community. Below are highlights from the last three months:

IAVA Leading the Way:

(IAVA Media) Affordable Housing and the VA Home Loan

January 14, 2021: IAVA, the NYC Veterans Alliance and VetsEDU provided a comprehensive overview on critical housing resources for veterans and their families…​​Watch here.

(Joint Press Release) IAVA and 37 VSOs Release Statement on the Peaceful Transfer of Power

January 19, 2021: “Our veterans and men and women in uniform each take an oath to uphold and defend the US Constitution, which provides for the peaceful transfer of power after an election,” the VSOs stated…​​Read more.

(IAVA Partnership) IAVA, Team Rubicon and Others Looking for Volunteers for Vaccine Delivery in Arizona and Chicago

January 20, 2021: IAVA is working with Team Rubicon and other VSOs to support coronavirus vaccine delivery and we are looking for volunteers to test the systems in Arizona and Chicago before going nationwide. For Arizona volunteers…Join here and for Chicago volunteers…Join here.

(Discharge Upgrades) Army Agrees to Review Discharges of Veterans Affected by PTSD, TBI and MST

January 21, 2021: All interested parties, including veterans who may benefit from the settlement should visit kennedysettlement.com…Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Applauds President’s Repeal of Military Transgender Ban

January 25, 2021: “We thank President Biden for his commitment to equality among servicemembers and we applaud his swift action in repealing this exclusive policy,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Launches Burn Pit and Toxic Exposure Advocacy Week

February 1, 2021: “With over three million veterans with possible toxic exposures, it’s clear that there is a problem and that Congress must take action,” said Tom Porter, EVP for IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) Denis McDonough Nomination to Become Next VA Secretary Approved by US Senate

February 8, 2021: “IAVA congratulates Denis McDonough on his new leadership role in the Biden administration as he takes the reins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Launches Veteran Suicide Prevention Advocacy Week

February 8, 2021: “We are eager to work with Congress and the Biden administration to continue to address the pressing issue of veteran suicide,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…​​Read more. 

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Launches VA Modernization and Reform Advocacy Week

February 15, 2021: “As the Secretary takes charge of the VA, IAVA will support his leadership to modernize the VA and implement important newly-enacted laws, including the Commander John Scott Hannon Mental Health Care Improvement Act and the Deborah Sampson Act,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Statement on the Distressed Marine Video

February 19, 2021: “We have to fight this battle on two fronts: we need to end sexual assault and sexual harassment within the military and we need to ensure justice for survivors,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Launches Veterans Education Benefits Advocacy Week

February 22, 2021: “As an advocate for post-9/11 veterans, IAVA will fight to protect veteran education benefits and will work to ensure that GI Bill recipients do not fall prey to for-profit college scams,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Testimony) IAVA to Testify Before a Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees

February 25, 2021: Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA has been invited to testify before the joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees…Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Launches Women Veterans Advocacy Week

March 1, 2021: “While the passage of the Deborah Sampson Act last year was historic, we have more to do to make women veteran’s care equal and accessible,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) House Passes IAVA-Backed Veteran Job Retraining Bill within $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Package 

March 2, 2021: “It’s clear that, in order to fight the effects of the pandemic, we must take new, bold approaches to ensure that a generation of veterans are not left behind due to the economic impact of COVID-19,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Launches Alternative Therapies and Medicinal Cannabis Advocacy Week 

March 8, 2021: “Our members have expressed to us just how crucial alternative therapies have been in treating PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions sustained during their service,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Media) IAVA ​​​​Recommends Veterans Get the COVID-19 Vaccine to Help our Country Get Back to Normal

March 19, 2021: “Local VA clinics have increased their availability of the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are enrolled in VA Healthcare, reach out to your local VA to find out current criteria for receiving the vaccine,” stated Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Watch here.​​​​​

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Announces Virtual Member Fly-In Event 

March 18, 2021: “IAVA’s members will be speaking directly to Congress on the impact of burn pits and toxic exposures, the suicide and mental health crisis, policy change for women veterans, accessible and safe healthcare, and more,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Kicks off Virtual Member Fly-In Event 

March 22, 2021: “It’s time to hold our government accountable to fully enact the Deborah Sampson Act and the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act,” said Jeremy Butler CEO of ​​​IAVA…​​Read more.

(IAVA Media) IAVA ​​​​Joined the Veterans and Citizens Initiative for a Discussion on Bridging our National Divides

March 23, 2021: Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA, joined the Veterans and Citizens Initiative, Jennifer Steinhauer, Student Veterans of America’s Lauren Augustine, Secure Families Initiative’s Sarah Streyder, & Joe Plenzler for a discussion on the “The Role of Veterans & Military Families in Bridging our National Divides”…Watch here.​​​​​

(IAVA Media) IAVA Signs with 40+ Organizations in Support of our Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities

March 23, 2021: “We affirm that violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is violence against our entire community, and such activity – like all hate-based activity – is fundamentally wrong in every way, anti-American, and unpatriotic,” said IAVA and partner organizations…Read more.​​​​​

(IAVA Press Release) IAVA Wraps Up Virtual Member DC Fly-In

March 26,2021: “Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and pivoting to virtual advocacy, our members persisted and their voices were heard by Congress, highlighting the critical issues impacting post-9/11 veterans,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

IAVA in the News:

(Fox News) Denis McDonough: What to Know About Biden’s VA Secretary Pick

January 22, 2021: “I support the nomination of Denis McDonough as the next Secretary but there is no denying that he will need a strong and experienced team to learn from and help him meet the needs of the nation’s veterans,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(Military.com) New VA Secretary Vows to ‘Redouble’ Efforts to Help Military Sexual Trauma Survivors

February 10, 2021: “The new secretary arrives at a time when the VA is challenged to meet the critical needs of veterans during a deadly and continuing pandemic,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Read more.

(We Are The Mighty) Naval Officer and IAVA CEO Shares Story of Being Black in America

February 24, 2021: “I think regardless of who you are personally, everyone should try a little harder to understand what it’s like for others,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(The Warrior Alliance) Veteran Social Justice Forum: Social Activism and Community Engagement

February 23, 2021: Last week Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA, took part in an interactive discussion on the racial and social injustice facing our society with the aim to inspire and empower the veteran and military community to take collective action and promote positive change…Watch here.

(Connecting Vets) Cases are Dramatically Dropping: Veterans Groups Work to Distribute Coronavirus Vaccines

February 25, 2021: “We are honored to work alongside our coalition partners and healthcare allies to raise awareness, expand access, and ensure that all Americans have equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(Washington Examiner) Veterans Groups Hope Beau Biden’s Death Will Lead President to Help Ailing Post-9/11 Veterans

March 1, 2021: “If you’ve been exposed while you’re deployed…wearing that uniform with an American flag on your sleeve, you need to be cared for when you get back,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…​​​​Read more.

(Marijuana Moment) Veterans Group Want Marijuana and Psychedelics Access Through VA, They Tell Congress

March 5, 2021: “Medical cannabis has been growing in support among the veteran population for quite some time and can bring relief to millions, save taxpayers billions and create thousands of jobs for veterans nationwide,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of IAVA…Read more.

(National Journal) The Hill’s Focus on Toxic Exposure Could Help Vets Exposed at Uzbek Base

March 17, 2021: “The Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act has the very top provision that we support, that we seek, and that is a presumptive service connection,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Read more.

(CNN) Fact Check: Madison Cawthorn Falsely Claimed ‘Zero Dollars’ Spent on Homeless Veterans

March 23, 2021: “Rep. Cawthorn’s statement is simply not true and the American Rescue Plan has an enormous amount of money for veterans in it,” said Tom Porter, EVP of Government Affairs for IAVA…Read more.

(NBC) Slower Mail and Higher Prices Under Proposed USPS Changes

March 23, 2021: Britnee Davis, Member Advocate for IAVA, shares her experience receiving prescriptions through the US Postal Service and the challenges of delayed mail…Watch Here.

IAVA is the voice for the post-9/11 veteran generation. With over 400,000 veterans and allies nationwide, IAVA is the leader in non-partisan veteran advocacy and public awareness. We drive historic impacts for veterans and IAVA’s programs are second to none. Any veteran or family member in need can reach out to IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force at quickreactionforce.org or 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) to be connected promptly with a veteran care manager who will assist. IAVA’s The Vote Hub is a free tool to register to vote and find polling information. IAVA’s membership is always growing. Join the movement at iava.org/membership.

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