IAVA | January 28, 2021
IAVA Weekly SITREP
As the leading voice for the post-9/11 community, IAVA continues to create awareness on issues and topics impacting our community. Below are articles and news sources from the past week:
Thursday, January 28
IAVA NEWS COVERAGE
Washington Examiner: Veterans groups split on McDonough as senators give him kid-glove treatment
By Abraham Mahshie
President Biden’s nominee to handle military veterans’ issues was handled with kid gloves by senators on Wednesday, but advocacy groups are split as to whether a nonveteran without healthcare experience can advance the needs of former service members. Tom Porter, executive vice president of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told the Washington Examiner his group’s members had called for Biden to nominate a veteran but said McDonough would bring a useful set of skills. Porter said the IAVA had spoken to McDonough by phone prior to the hearing and heard his commitment to listen to the veterans associations in contrast to the “one-way conversation” under former President Donald Trump’s last Veteran Secretary Robert Wilkie.
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
Politico: Black Veterans’ group calls for representation at VA
By Maya King
A coalition of state and national Black veterans’ organizations penned an open letter to the Biden-Harris administration on Wednesday asking to diversify senior leadership roles within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The Black Veterans’ Empowerment Council, a newly-formed association of Black ex-military groups, wrote that Black veterans should be front of mind for the VA’s under secretaries of health and benefits.
Stars and Stripes: Top priority for VA secretary nominee is getting veterans through pandemic
By Nikki Wentling
Denis McDonough, President Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, listed one of his top priorities Wednesday as “getting our veterans through this pandemic.” In his written statement to senators, McDonough, 51, listed the issues Biden told him to focus on, and getting veterans through the coronavirus pandemic was the first. As of Wednesday, coronavirus death rates at the VA were the highest they’ve ever been. More than 8,700 veterans and 120 VA workers have died of the virus – nearly 2,000 of those deaths occurring in the previous three weeks.
The Hill: Rethinking federal policy for America’s veterans
By Mark Dugan and Audrey Guo
When President Biden tapped Denis McDonough last month to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the former White House chief of staff promised to “fight like hell to give our veterans and their families the health care, respect and dignity they deserve.” As he gears up for his confirmation hearing this week, at the top of his list should be serious reform of the VA’s Disability Compensation program.
CBS News: Veterans in “disbelief” over executive order on toxic military base
By Catherine Herridge
In one of his last acts as commander-in-chief, President Trump signed an executive order that recognizes sick veterans who passed through a toxic military base after 9/11 known as K2 with service in Uzbekistan. After years of being dismissed, this is a significant step forward.
The Washington Post: Biden’s VA pick, Denis McDonough, tells lawmakers he’ll fight for veterans
By Lisa Rein
Denis McDonough, President Biden’s nominee for Veterans Affairs secretary, told senators Wednesday that although he is not a veteran, “I’m a fighter, and I’m relentless,” and that he would succeed if confirmed. McDonough would be the 11th VA secretary since the agency was elevated to a Cabinet-level organization in 1989, but only its second non-veteran leader. Some veterans groups have raised questions about his lack of military experience, and McDonough addressed the issue head on.
By Richard Brookshire
The insurrection has left little doubt that white supremacist extremists remain the deadliest domestic terror threat in the United States. And while racism is an ever-present undercurrent in our nation’s military, leaders at the Department of Defense continue to downplay the rise and breadth of right-wing ideology among troops—preferring to paint incidents of racial hatred as fringe, not systemic. For many service members, the tenor of the events of Jan. 6 were not unfamiliar. As early as 2017, 1 in 4 reported having white nationalist sentiments espoused within their units.
WKBN: Sen. Sherrod Brown says he’s pushing for more Agent Orange benefits amid local veteran’s struggle
By Dave Sess
Sen. Sherrod Brown said he is pushing for veterans to receive more benefits due to Agent Orange as one local Vietnam veteran says he is having trouble getting benefits from Veterans Affairs. He said he keeps pushing for more benefits from Agent Orange and even related to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The military knew better than to do and should have fixed this,” he said. “I keep fighting for those benefits. People shouldn’t have to do what this gentleman had to do to get the benefits from Agent Orange.”
Wednesday, January 27
IAVA NEWS COVERAGE
Stars and Stripes: Tester takes lead of Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
By Nikki Wentling
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., will take the helm of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Wednesday when the committee meets for the first time in the new congressional session. The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America and other national veterans organizations praised Tester’s leadership Tuesday.
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
Military.com: Misconceptions About PTSD Hurt Job-Seeking Veterans, Former Top Enlisted Adviser Says
By Blake Stilwell
When Daniel Dailey served as sergeant major of the Army, the branch’s top enlisted soldier, his focus was on preparing his troops for life after the service. “In my opinion, the biggest problem is the stigma associated with PTSD,” Dailey said. “Most people are unfamiliar with the causes and symptoms of post-traumatic stress and are unaware that PTSD is a treatable disorder. Studies have shown that employers feel that accommodating employees with PTSD requires more effort.”
NPR: New VA Program Investigates Outdoor Therapy For Veterans
By Dustin Jones
Last month, President Trump signed the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act after it easily passed in Congress in a rare instance of bipartisan support, as part of a package called the Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020. Among other things, the new legislation calls on the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement programs and policies related to transition assistance, suicide care, mental health education and treatment. More specifically, it requires the VA to establish a task force to investigate the benefits of outdoor recreation therapy for veterans.
New York Times: With Biden’s Backing, Austin Prepares to Tackle Military’s Sexual Assault Problem
By Jennifer Steinhauer
After years of failure to curb the scourge of sexual assault in the military, Lloyd J. Austin III, the new secretary of defense, is open to considering significant revisions to how those crimes are prosecuted, a potential sea change that generations of commanders have resisted.
Yahoo: Prosecutors say this former Marine was one of ‘the most violent’ rioters who stormed the Capitol
By Ryan Pickrell
A former US Marine who was recently arrested in connection with the Capitol riots earlier this month stands accused of being among ‘the most violent’ individuals there. Michael J. Foy was arrested on January 21 and charged with four felony offenses, including forcibly assaulting an officer of the United States.
Washington Examiner: McConnell ends filibuster fight, allowing Democrats to chair Armed Services and other key Senate committees
By Jamie McIntyre
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell dropped his demand that Democrats agree to give up their power to change Senate rules to end the filibuster, which now clears the way for committees to be rebalanced to reflect the 50/50 Senate split and for Democrats to take over the chairmanship. That means Democratic Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, who has been chairman-in-waiting, on the Armed Services Committee, will take over from Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe, but more importantly, bills that receive a tie vote in committee will proceed to a floor vote, where the vice president can break any ties.
Fortune: Biden’s Department of Defense makes its mark on gender issues
By Emma Hinchliffe
President Joe Biden’s defense secretary pick was one of his most debated Cabinet posts, with the final choice coming down to former undersecretary of defense Michele Flournoy and retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, who ultimately ended up winning the position. The choice disappointed some women who were gunning for Flournoy to break the glass ceiling at the Department of Defense. But Austin—who himself is the first Black defense secretary—is quickly showing that issues of gender and identity will be at the forefront of his and Biden’s agenda for the DOD.
Politico: D.C. National Guard deployment extended through end of March
By Natasha Bertrand, Lara Seligman and Andrew Desidero
The deployment for the entire D.C. National Guard has been extended until March 31 in anticipation of “civil disturbance” throughout the nation’s capital, according to a memo obtained by POLITICO on Tuesday.
The Washington Post: Pentagon restricted commander of D.C. Guard ahead of Capitol riot
By Paul Sonne
The commander of the D.C. National Guard said the Pentagon restricted his authority ahead of the riot at the U.S. Capitol, requiring higher-level sign-off to respond that cost time as the events that day spiraled out of control.
Tuesday, January 26
IAVA NEWS COVERAGE
Today News Africa: What they are saying about Biden’s executive order that lifted transgender military ban
President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order that sets the policy to ensure that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve – reversing the ban on transgender service members. IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler says: “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. We thank President Biden for his commitment to equality among service members and we applaud his swift action in repealing this exclusive policy.”
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
Military Times: VA tops 200,000 coronavirus cases, 8,500 deaths since the start of the pandemic
By Leo Shane III
The Department of Veterans Affairs this weekend set a new record for coronavirus deaths for the third consecutive month and surpassed 200,000 total cases among patients since the start of the pandemic last March. More than 8,500 VA patients have died from complications related to the virus in the last 11 months, according to data made public by the department.
NPR: Congress Is Paying More Attention To Veteran Suicide, But Progress Is Slow
By Caitlyn Kim
New federal laws seek to improve mental health care for veterans and their families, but advocates say it will take time for local communities to feel the effects. The rates of suicide among those who’ve served continues to be much higher than the national average – 27.5 per 100,000 in 2018 for veterans compared to 18.2 per 100,000 for non-veterans. That disparity has continued despite prevention campaigns, more focus on mental health, and an Air Force “stand down” to shine a spotlight on the issue.
Marijuana Moment: GOP Congressman Files Bill To Protect Veterans Who Use Medical Marijuana From Losing Benefits
By Kyle Jaeger
A Republican congressman has filed the second piece of marijuana reform legislation to be introduced so far in the new 117th Congress—this one aimed at ensuring that military veterans aren’t penalized for using medical cannabis in compliance with state law.
By Rebecca Kheel
Biden signed an executive order Monday making it U.S. policy that “all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve” and revoking former President Trump’s orders that instated the ban.
State of Reform: Florida house bills to provide veterans behavioral health care, homelessness assistance
Several bills filed this month in the House could have significant impacts on Florida’s health care system, including one that would authorize the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to establish the Florida Veterans’ Care Coordination Program. If established, the program will provide veterans and their families with behavioral health services.
Roll Call: After Capitol riot, a call to protect veterans from disinformation
By Dean DeChiaro
A prominent veterans advocate wants the Biden administration and Congress to help retired service members protect themselves from online disinformation following the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.
Military.com: Former VA Doctor Sentenced to 25 Years over Molesting Patients
A former doctor at a Veterans Affairs hospital in West Virginia was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to federal charges that he molested three male patients and violated their civil rights. U.S. District Judge Frank Volk sentenced Jonathan Yates, 52, to the prison term and three years of supervised release, prosecutors announced.
Monday, January 25
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
Washington Examiner: Biden expected to lift transgender troop restrictions this week
By Jamie McIntyre
As Biden promised during the campaign, the Pentagon will be revoking regulations that limit how transgender troops can serve in the military, with the order from Biden expected this week, perhaps as soon as today.
Military.com: On Final Day In Office, Trump Directs Pentagon to Study Toxins at K2 Base
By Patricia Kime
On his final full day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Defense Department to study the environmental exposures of U.S. troops who served in Uzbekistan in the early 2000s, a step that could pave the way for ill veterans to receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Military.com: Military Leaders Given 2 Weeks to Show Their Sexual Assault Prevention Efforts Are Working
By Hope Hodge Seck
In one of his first actions as defense secretary, Lloyd Austin is ordering his top generals to report on the measures they’re taking to prevent sexual assault and harassment in the ranks — and how they know they’re working.
*Also published in Yahoo
Calgary Herald: Military veteran seeks magic mushroom therapy to combat PTSD
By Bill Kaufmann
Scott Atkinson says magic mushrooms have already done much to tame the post-traumatic stress demons conjured by two years serving in Afghanistan and Bosnia. But the retired Canadian Armed Forces master corporal said he’s hoping to become the country’s first military veteran to undergo legal, supervised psilocybin therapy.
Military.com: Fort Hood Top Enlisted Leader Reinstated after Probe Finds No Proof of Unprofessional Language
By Matthew Cox
U.S. Army Forces Command has reinstated the top enlisted leader at Fort Hood, Texas after an investigation cleared him of allegations that he used unprofessional language with subordinates last year.
PR Newswire: Parsons Team Ready to Protect U.S. Air Force Air Bases
Parsons Corporation (NYSE: PSN) announced today that it would lead an industry team of Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), SAIC (NYSE: SAIC), and SRC, Inc., in pursuit of a 10-year, $953 million effort with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa to design, mature, procure, integrate, operate, and maintain Air Base Air Defense (ABAD) systems across the European and African continent areas of responsibility.
Associated Press: Nearly 2,000 vaccine doses spoiled at Boston hospital
Nearly 2,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine were spoiled at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Boston after a contractor accidentally unplugged a freezer, hospital officials announced Thursday.
Chron: Nearly 1 in 5 of Capitol rioters charged so far served in the military, NPR reports
By Abigail Rosenthal
Authorities are continuing to charge individuals in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including some who previously served in the U.S. military.
Attributable to a legacy of treating veterans with specialty addiction recovery services, Symetria Recovery is pleased to announce its affiliation with TriWest Healthcare Alliance to care for veterans. TriWest was formed to serve the health care needs of the military and Veteran communities. TriWest was awarded the Community Care Network (CCN) Region 4 contract by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), enhancing access to health care for America’s Veterans in support of the VA’s critical mission.
*Also published in GlobalNewswire
Fortune: The founder who decided to to stop fundraising and instead hold onto her equity
By Rachel King
Former Air Force pilot and self-described serial entrepreneur Riley Rees initially went the traditional route with her startup, Sofia Health. Founded in 2019, Sofia Health is a digital platform for connecting prospective patients with physicians and specialists in western, alternative, and holistic medicine.
NBC New York: Veteran Unlawfully Held in State Hospital for More Than Two Decades. Are There More Like Him?
By Tom Jones and Monica Dean
For nearly 24 years, Alan Alter, a 71-year-old veteran of the Vietnam War, had been unlawfully committed to a California state hospital, according to his attorney.
Friday, January 22
IAVA NEWS COVERAGE
Fox News: Denis McDonough: What to know about Biden’s VA secretary pick
By Caitlin McFall
Cabinet members in the Biden administration will be faced with uniting the various sectors of the U.S. government during a time of division. If confirmed by the Senate, Denis McDonough will become only the second non-veteran to serve in the roll. Jeremy Butler, chief executive of the advocacy group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, applauded McDonough’s official nomination Wednesday, but noted the challenges the secretary would face if confirmed. “Good to see the roster of [Department of Veteran Affairs] leadership coming together,” Butler said in a tweet Wednesday. “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.”
VETERAN NEWS COVERAGE
NBC News: Congress clears path for first Black defense secretary
The Democratic-controlled Congress easily passed legislation Thursday required to confirm retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as President Joe Biden’s secretary of defense, brushing aside concerns that his retirement occurred inside the seven-year window that safeguards civilian leadership of the military.
*Also covered in The Washington Post
CTV News: Veterans face increasing wait times for mental-health support at government clinics
By Lee Berthiaume
Internal reports prepared by Veterans Affairs Canada show Canadian veterans have been waiting longer and longer in recent years to access psychiatric services and other medical support at government-run clinics.
The Courier: Veterans Assistance Commission observes anniversary
The Logan County Veterans Assistance Commission held their quarterly meeting on January 20 and afterwards celebrated with a cake and refreshments on the 5th anniversary of serving the County veterans. Over the past five years the VAC has continued to expand the services offered to the County veterans including mental health counseling, dental coverage, hearing impaired phones and mobility devices and ramps just to name a few.
Stars and Stripes: Biden administration takes over at VA’s deadliest moment
By Nikki Wentling
As President Joe Biden’s team took over leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs on Wednesday, the agency was facing its highest death rate since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. While Biden was being sworn in as the country’s 46th president, the VA reported that more than 8,000 patients had died of the virus — 1,000 of those deaths occurring in the last 13 days. On Thursday, 8,221 veterans were dead, as well as 114 agency employees.
Military.com: Uniformed Man Seen Kneeling at Iraq Vet Beau Biden’s Grave During Inauguration
By Gina Harkins
As President Joe Biden was addressing the nation Wednesday after swearing in as the 46th U.S. president, a quiet moment was captured 110 miles away from the nation’s capital, where a journalist with The News Journal in Delaware saw a lone person in a blue uniform kneeling over the grave of the president’s late son, Beau Biden, who died in 2015 at the age of 46.
Biden, who said in a 2019 speech that he suspects his son’s cancer was caused by exposure to burn pits in Iraq, is expected to expand medical benefits for veterans who became sick after being exposed to environmental toxins.
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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