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[size=40]SUPPORT AMERICA'S HEROES[/size][/size]
No veteran should be denied the benefits and care they earned. It’s that simple. And you can help fix that.
This Veterans Day, let’s do more than thank veterans for their service. Let’s fight for them.
Make a gift to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the premier veterans advocacy and support organization, to ensure veterans have the support and opportunities they deserve.
If you start a monthly gift of $11 or make a gift of $125 or more before midnight on Veterans Day, we’ll even send you a free IAVA drawstring bag as a token of your support!!

Fill in the form below to make your tax-deductible Veterans Day Drive donation today and invest in America’s heroes.
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Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), is a nonprofit 501c3 veterans organization founded by Paul Rieckhoff, an American writer, social entrepreneur, advocate, activist and veteran of the United States Army and the Iraq War. He served as an Army First Lieutenant and infantry rifle platoon leader in Iraq from 2003 through 2004. Rieckhoff was released from the Army National Guard in 2007.
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Contents
[/ltr]- 1Founding and purpose
- 2Advocacy
- 2.1Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 116th Congress
- 2.2Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 115th Congress
- 2.3Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 114th Congress
- 2.4Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 113th Congress
- 2.5Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 112th Congress
- 2.6Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 111th Congress
- 2.7Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 110th Congress
Founding and purpose[edit]
IAVA was founded in 2004 by Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff to provide resources to and community for post-9/11 veterans. The organization is headquartered in New York City and maintains a policy office in Washington, DC. IAVA's mission is to unite, empower and connect post-9/11 veterans through education, advocacy, and community. Its programs include non-partisan advocacy on Capitol Hill, data-driven research on post-9/11 veteran issues, veterans transition assistance through its Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP), and community building through its VetTogether and online community events.In 2012 Stars and Stripes reported that "IAVA representatives are frequent cable news guests and regulars at hearings on Capitol Hill, where few if any veterans initiatives are passed without their blessing."[1] The Washington Post has stated that "With its ability to talk intimately about both the horror of combat and the difficulty of coming home...[IAVA]...has emerged as a key player on veterans issues on the Hill."[2] In regards to IAVA's CEO Paul Rieckhoff, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has been quoted as saying, "He's relentless. When [Paul Rieckhoff] brings a new issue to me, I know that's what I should be fighting for."[3]
In early 2019, Paul Rieckhoff stepped down as CEO and transitioned to the Board. His COO, Jeremy Butler, a Navy veteran, was elevated to the position. Jeremy continues to press on with an ambitious agenda, in the characteristic style of IAVA.[4]
According to IAVA, the organization has over 425,000 members. IAVA membership is free and is available to "all veterans, families, and civilian allies."[5]
Advocacy[edit]
IAVA has been involved in, and at times led, the passage of a number of pieces of legislation since its establishment. The organization publishes an annual policy agenda that focuses on recommendations for Congress, the Executive Branch, Private Sector, State Nonprofits and other stakeholders.The IAVA Policy Agenda lists various veterans issues that the organization is engaged in with its "Big Six" priorities:
[list="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 0.3em; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 3.2em; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-image: none;"]
[*]Combat Suicide Among Troops and Veterans
[*]Reform the VA for Today's Veterans
[*]Initiate Support for Injuries from Burn Pits
[*]Defend Veteran and Military Education Benefits
[*]Fully Recognize and Improve Services for Women Veterans
[*]Establish Support for Veterans Who Want to Utilize Medical Cannabis
[/list]
Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 116th Congress[edit]
- 9/11 First Responders (2019): IAVA joined again with 9/11 First Responders to pass the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act (S. 546/H.R. 1327). Signed into law on July 29, 2019 (Public Law No: 116-34).
- Combating Veteran Suicide (2019): IAVA helped develop and introduce the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act (S. 785), to expand efforts aimed at ending veteran suicide.
- Burn Pits Accountability Act (2019): In 2019, IAVA continued its campaign to raise awareness of military exposure to burn pits and other airborne toxins while deployed with the reintroduction of the Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R. 5671 / S. 3181).
- She Who Borne The Battle: In early 2019, IAVA continued its campaign to better recognize the service of women veterans and fill gaps in care for them at the VA. The centerpiece of the campaign is the Deborah Sampson Act (S. 514), revised from the 11th Congress and re-introduced. IAVA also worked to develop the Honoring All Veterans Act (H.R. 3010) to establish a gender neutral motto for the VA.
See a comprehensive listing of IAVA’s supported legislation and legislative victories for the 116th Congress.
Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 115th Congress[edit]
- She Who Borne The Battle (2017): IAVA launched this campaign to better recognize the service of women veterans and fill gaps in care for them at the VA. The centerpiece of the campaign was the Deborah Sampson Act (S. 681/H.R. 2452).
- Burn Pits Accountability Act (2018): IAVA launched a campaign to raise awareness of military exposure to burn pits and other airborne toxins while deployed. The centerpiece of the campaign was the Burn Pits Accountability Act (H.R. 5671 / S. 3181) to improve Department of Defense accountability and VA research.
- Defend the GI Bill (2017-18): In 2017, IAVA was successful in advocating for the passage into law of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act (S. 1598/H.R. 3218) which expanded benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Signed into law on August 16, 2017 (Public Law No: 115-48). IAVA spent much of the year successfully turning back an attempt to pay for the new legislation through the establishment of a $2,400 fee levied on new servicemembers. IAVA launched a campaign to turn back a 2018 decision by the Department of Defense to limit the ability to transfer unused portions of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to family members to those servicemembers with less than 16 years of service. A petition with more than 50,000 signatures was sent to then-Defense Secretary James Mattis.
See a comprehensive listing of IAVA’s supported legislation and legislative victories for the 115th Congress.
Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 114th Congress[edit]
- Defend The GI Bill (2016): In 2016, the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees introduced veterans omnibus bills that include significant cuts to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.[6] Through advocacy on Capitol Hill, in the media, and grassroots efforts by its members, IAVA has been successful in holding off passage of that legislation into law.[7]
- Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act (2016): IAVA successfully advocated for legislation (S. 2487[8]/H.R. 2915) that requires the VA to include metrics on women veterans in evaluation of mental health and suicide prevention programs, among other provisions. The bill was signed into law on June 12, 2016.
- James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act (2015): IAVA joined forces with the Feal Good Foundation[9] and 9/11 first responders and survivors to secure a fully funded 75-year extension[10] of the World Trade Center Health Program Fund and five-year, $4.6 billion Victim Compensation Fund extension, which helps provide care to 9/11 first responders.
- Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act (2015): IAVA developed and led the campaign to pass the Clay Hunt SAV Act and ensured that it was one of the first pieces of legislation passed[11] by the 114th Congress. It was signed into law by the President on February 12, 2015. The SAV Act expands access to mental health care for military and veterans; strengthens oversight of military mental health care programs, among other provisions.
Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 113th Congress[edit]
- Ending the VA Backlog (2013): IAVA advocated to end the backlog of veterans' disability claims at the VA.[12] With the help of allied organizations, IAVA prompted the VA to implement reforms to its claims processing system. These efforts resulted in the number of veterans waiting over 125 days to receive compensation for service-connected disabilities to decrease by over 60 percent.[13]
- Combating Military Sexual Assault (2013): IAVA has been an advocate for reforms to the military justice system that protect victims of military sexual assaults and prevent future assaults. In 2013, IAVA successfully advocated to include thirteen amendments in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 (NDAA)[14] that improve victims' rights, strengthen prevention efforts, and protect whistleblowers within the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act of 2014. The organization has continued with this advocacy in the current 114th Congress.
Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 112th Congress[edit]
- VOW to Hire Heroes Act (2011): IAVA successfully advocated to pass this law, which addresses the career challenges veterans face in transitioning from combat to career. The legislation requires separating service members to take the Transition Assistance Program that provides job search resources like resume and career counseling.[15] This law also establishes tax credits of up to $9,600 for every veteran hired and begins the work of translating military skills and training into their civilian equivalents.
Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 111th Congress[edit]
- New GI Bill 2.0 (2010): In 2010, IAVA worked to pass the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act,[16] also known as the New GI Bill 2.0. The legislation expanded the Post-9/11 GI Bill to include veterans studying at vocational schools, granted National Guardsmen and Reservists responding to national disasters full benefits, and simplified the Yellow Ribbon Program. These new provisions benefitted almost 400,000 veterans in their first year.
- Mandatory Mental Health Screening (2009): IAVA successfully advocated[17] to pass this bill which mandates that every returning service member is screened for mental health injuries, helping remove the stigma of seeking help and catching mental health injuries early.
Major legislative initiatives and accomplishments in the 110th Congress[edit]
- Post-9/11 "New" GI Bill (2008): IAVA played the lead role in passing the Post-9/11 GI Bill,[18] considered by many to be the most important veterans' benefit for the generation of post-9/11 veterans. This landmark legislation has sent more than one million veterans to college.
- Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Bill (2007): This legislation has worked to address the veteran and service member suicide epidemic.[19] It helped establish the Veterans' Crisis Line that has served more than half a million veterans in crisis, instituted better suicide prevention training for VA staff, and launched a campaign to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health care.
Research[edit]
IAVA regularly publishes data-driven research reports[20] to educate on the issues pertaining to post-9/11 veterans. The purpose of these reports is to drive the development of solutions to benefit veterans and their families. These reports include:- IAVA 2018 Annual Member Survey
- IAVA 2015 Annual Member Survey
- IAVA 2014 Annual Member Survey
- IAVA 2013 Annual Member Survey
- Unsung Heroes: Military Families After 10 Years of War
- New York's Newest Veterans: Key Findings and Policy Implications of the RAND Corporation's Needs Assessment of New York State [url=http://media.iava.org/IAVA NYS Health - New York's Newest Veterans.pdf]Veterans[/url]
- Red Tape: Veterans Fight New Battles for Care and [url=http://media.iava.org/IAVA Redtape Report_2010.pdf]Benefits[/url]
- Women Warriors: Supporting She 'Who Has Borne the Battle
- Careers After Combat: Employment and Education Challenges for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
- Coming Home: The Housing Crisis and Homelessness Threaten New [url=http://media.iava.org/IAVA_coming_home_2009 The Housing Crisis and Homelessness Threaten New Veterans.pdf]Veterans[/url]
- Invisible Wounds: Psychological and Neurological Injuries Confront a New Generation of Veterans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_and_Afghanistan_Veterans_of_America
https://www.google.com/search?q=iraq+and+afghanistan+veterans+of+america&oq=Iraq+and+Afghanistan+Veterans+of+America&aqs=chrome.0.0l3j69i60l2j69i61.2934j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
» Pompeo's memoirs.. Al-Abadi told me: You take my money and Soleimani will take my life
» Iraq gets about $100 million annually from aircraft crossing its airspaceproposals from
» Iraq.. 12 million citizens do not receive 200,000 dinars per month
» 100 dollars for the “hardship” .. This is how the dollar is smuggled after the application of the el
» Iraq wants to buy French Rafale aircraft
» In detail... Iraq and France sign a memorandum of understanding in the field of combating corruption
» Transport reviews the details of a "giant project" linking Iraq with Europe
» Sheikh Jamal Al-Dari: Iraq's signing of the strategic partnership agreement with France is an import
» Legal experts: The Federal Court is unconstitutional and “political tensions” are behind the decisio
» Fouad Hussein: Al-Sudani and Macron did not address the recent Federal Court decision
» “Sales diplomacy.” South Korea strengthens its presence in Iraq and the region’s markets
» Foreign Ministry: Iraq seeks to recover smuggled funds by signing memorandums of understanding
» Parliamentary Finance: The dollar is available in the Central Bank, and banks refrain from buying it
» Al-Samarrai on the Paris Agreement: It represents a transition that the Iraqis have been waiting for
» "Exceptional circumstances" suspend the work of the Iraqi embassy in a European country
» This Is How The Dollar Crisis Was Made.. And This Is How The Sudanese Became! C 2
» 4 parliamentary questions looking for the "secret" of depositing Iraq's money in the US Federal Rese
» Ministry of Commerce: The prices of building materials in our warehouses are fixed and have not been
» Iraqi Kurdistan warns of the "illegal" suspension of funding
» Integrity announces the return of more than a trillion dinars in the investigations of the investmen
» Counselor Mazhar Saleh presents proposals to ensure market stability
» Obelisk Hour: The decision of the Federal Court is implemented retroactively and the money is return
» The Constitution Amendment Committee is fading away amid calls to reduce Parliament to 250 deputies
» The oil and gas law has been faltering since 2008, and the Federal Council is at the center of a dis
» Iraq is outside the group.. Arab countries are classified as a "cultural influence index"
» A leader in the framework: The theft of the century revealed 3 surprises... and 70% of the cases hav
» A leader in the framework: Russia will intervene in resolving the urgent dollar crisis in Iraq
» “The washing continues.” Parliamentary Finance: Exempting the governor of the Central Bank does not
» Kurdish deputy: One goal behind Baghdad's pressure on the oil companies in the region
» After cutting off funds from the region, its president announces: The Kurds are Iraqi citizens
» Al-Sudani in Paris.. Details about armament deals, gas and electricity investments
» Washington surprised Baghdad with the restrictions of the dollar.. A Dutch network talks about "deli
» There is no power over the judiciary other than the law.
» Parliament asks Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein about the reason for depositing Iraq's money in the US
» America calls on Iraq to abide by its sanctions against Iran and to prevent the transfer of the doll
» Sudanese financial advisor offers new solutions to reduce the dollar crisis
» Headed by Al-Halbousi.. Starting a consultative meeting for the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union
» Prime Minister: We will continue to work for serious partnerships that guarantee Iraq achieving econ
» Adviser to the Prime Minister presents two proposals to ensure the stability of the national market
» Al-Sudani expresses his government's desire to cooperate with UNESCO to implement small and medium p
» Trade: Government movement led by Al-Sudani to control food prices
» Minister of Labor: The Social Research Campaign is the largest in the region
» Saleh: The proceeds of small trades constitute 70% of the total import units
» Resources: Upcoming meetings with the Turkish side and dialogues with Iran on water shares
» The Minister of Electricity explains the reason for the recent decline in supply hours
» Nechirvan Barzani discusses with Erdogan the situation in Kurdistan and Iraq and ways to enhance coo
» Nechirvan Barzani on the anniversary of the liberation of Kobani: The people of Kurdistan will never
» Education determines the number of college schools Iraq needs
» From behind the scenes of the stock exchanges...a specialist reveals 3 types of dollar dealers there
» A great success for the forum of commercial meetings between Iraqi and Qatari companies.
» Within the framework of aid distribution … the Minister of Immigration instructed to provide aid to
» Legal experts: The Federal Court is unconstitutional and “political tensions” are behind the decisio
» The Prime Minister announces the signing of the strategic partnership agreement with Macron
» Al-Sudani appoints Laith Al-Athari as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Media and Communicati
» Judge Jaafar reveals the secrets of theft of the century: Politicians and parties in the previous go
» Al-Halbousi concludes his visit to Algeria
» The industry announces the production of 24 thousand tons of asphalt derivatives and an increase in
» Terrifying.. revealing the toll of mine victims in the Kurdistan region
» Education announces the availability of scholarships for foreign students and seats for non-Iraqis
» Reveal the details of the Iraqi-French agreement
» The stability of the dollar exchange rate in Iraq
» The Ministry of Industry announces the formation of special committees to implement the government p
» Al-Sudani and Macron discuss joint cooperation in a number of vital sectors
» Under the auspices of its Minister, Nizar Amidi, the environment organizes an event to launch the Vi
» Iraq.. Overthrowing more than 1,100 dealers and seizing 22,159 kg of drugs during the current month
» The House of Representatives announces the agenda for the next Saturday session
» An official statement reveals the details of the Sudanese and Macron meeting
» Presidency of the Council hinder the discussion of the exchange rate
» Dollar exchange rates in the Iraqi market
» The most prominent contents of the partnership agreement between Iraq and France
» Analysis: 4 reasons prompted Al-Sudani to demand the survival of US forces in Iraq
» The Iraqi judiciary: the main suspect in the tax secretariat case paid about two-thirds of the money
» After the message of the US Federal Reserve to the Iraqi Central Bank... a new strategy to combat "m
» The Kurdistan region is negotiating with the Iranian opposition parties to stop their activities in
» Economist: 14% for Kurdistan in the 2023 budget, in exchange for the delivery of 150,000 barrels of
» Minister of Labor: We are keen to provide the best services and we do not want to pass poverty on to
» Trade: Government movement led by Al-Sudani to control food prices
» Iraq second.. a list of the countries that import the most from Iran
» Kurdistan Parliament: The decision of the Federal Court will negatively affect the rapprochement bet
» KTFA Wednesday Night CC with Frank26 "Numbers" 1-25-2023
» Al-Halbousi is heading a parliamentary delegation to participate in the meeting of the Organization
» Disclosure of the details of the framework agreement with the Sudanese to dismiss the central govern
» American report: The Kurdistan government allowed the Turkish bombing of its lands as a metaphor for
» Reuters: A close victory for Al-Sudani through a French-Qatari deal worth $27 billionproposals from
» Ina / Al-Jubouri: America considers leaving Iraq as its loss to the Middle East
» Aware / Al-Shammari: Fruitful cooperation between Iraq and Jordan in controlling borders and combati
» State of law: Finance Minister Taif Sami prevented the sending of money to Kurdistan a month ago
» After a day of protests in front of the Iraqi Central Bank.. the dollar prices stabilized at 161 tho
» Integrity opens the file (investment portfolio) between retirement and Qi Card and returns more than
» Al-Dari: We trust Al-Sudanese ability to find "constitutional alternatives" that respect the decisio
» The deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament calls on the political forces to take a stand on the deci
» A travel ban was issued against the former agent of the Iraqi Intelligence Agency, Ahmed "Abu Raghee
» An analysis detailing the significance of the Sudanese visit to France
» Britain presents a group of "opinions" regarding the Iraqis entering it illegally
» Document .. Al-Sudani appoints new agents in the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
» Al-Sudani chairs a meeting to discuss the "dry canal" project and directs the need to expedite its i
» The Central Bank of Iraq monitors "empty" instruments near government departments
» The Central Bank of Iraq’s dollar sales decreased in today’s auction