Along with the early summer weather in DC, the IAVA Policy team kicked into full gear this week by highlighting the introduction of the House version of the Deborah Sampson Act to fill gaps in care and improve recognition of women veterans. The bill has a bipartisan list of 19 cosponsors and growing! This is an important step towards advancing our #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign and we’ll continue to press forward until the Deborah Sampson Act is law. Here are some policy highlights for this week:

• IAVA Executive Director Allison Jaslow led a press conference to highlight the House introduction of the Deborah Sampson Act. Also speaking at the event were Reps Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Tulsi Gabbard, (D-HI), Julia Brownley (D-CA), and Ann Kuster (D-NH).Later that day, Allison testified in front of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee on theDeborah Sampson Act and our #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign. Watch the video of the hearing here.
• Political & Intergovernmental Affairs Director Melissa Bryant attended a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) meeting convened to discuss future strengthening of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Now check out these awesome #SheWhoBorneTheBattle tweets!