Press conference will highlight real impacts on servicemembers, military families, veterans, and survivors if Congress fails to act 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
October 10, 2025
CONTACT: press@iava.org

Washington, D.C – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America will host a press conference calling on Congress to pay our troops and work across party lines to pass a bipartisan, bicameral solution that protects servicemembers, military families, veterans, and survivors. Leaders will underscore the immediate risks to military pay, family finances, and continuity of services that millions of veterans rely on when the federal government shuts down.  

Speakers will include representatives from IAVA and partner organizations, along with veterans and family members who will share first-hand experiences of disrupted paychecks, delayed services, and uncertainty at home and on base  

WHAT: Veterans and military service organizations will call on Congress to pay our troops and pass a bipartisan solution to protect servicemembers, military families, veterans, and survivors from the impacts of a shutdown.  

WHEN: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 @ 2PM ET   

WHERE:

Reserve Organization of America 
1 Constitution Ave NE  
Washington, DC 20002  

WHO:  

• Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America  
• Tom Porter, Vice President, Government Affairs, Blue Star Families 
• Maj. Gen. (Ret.) John Hashem, U.S. Army, Executive Director, Reserve Organization of America 
• Candace Wheeler, Senior Director, Government and Legislative Affairs, Tragedy Assistance Program (TAPS)  
• Scott Hope, National Service Director, Disabled American Veterans  
• Joy Craig, Associate Director, Service Member Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars   
• Maj Gen (Ret.) April Vogel, Vice President for Government Relations, Military Officers Association of America 
• Mario Marquez, Executive Director of Government Affairs, The American Legion  
• Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America 

Supporting Organizations 

• National Defense Committee  
• Veteran Education Success  
• National Military Family Association  
• Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.  
• Non-Commissioned Officers Association 
• Paralyzed Veterans of America 
• Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS  

RSVP: Please RSVP by emailing press@iava.org  

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the leading voice of the Post-9/11 generation of American veterans. We represent over 425,000 members, and our best-in-class, non-partisan advocacy on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans has chalked up big wins for our community – and America – for 20 years and counting.  

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