Vet Orgs Take to Washington, Need Our Help
A number of veterans organizations are turning up the heat lately in Washington, D.C., on issues having to do with homecoming reintegration and healthcare, accountability, the escalation (or troop 'surge') in Iraq, and even a stand against entering war with Iran. Thought I'd pass along a few of their calls for action.
Click on 'Article Link' below tags for more...Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
2007 Legislative Agenda
IAVA is going to Washington. IAVA is launching one of our most important projects to date - the 2007 IAVA Legislative Agenda. Our Legislative Agenda contains 31 action items for the new Congress: concrete steps lawmakers can take to get troops and veterans the support they need and deserve.
Our agenda covers all aspects of the issues facing new vets, including:
• Mandatory and confidential mental health screening for troops coming home from combat. [more on mental health and healthcare agenda]
• A better transition system to help new veterans go to college, get a job, or start their own business. [more on homecoming agenda]
• Criminal investigation of fraud and waste by contractors. [more on accountability agenda]
Read it in full online, download the PDF, or check out the MS Word version.
In the next few weeks, we'll be reaching out to legislators on both sides of the aisle to present our agenda and ask for their support, and we'll need you to get involved.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Paul Rieckhoff
Iraq Veteran
Executive Director/Founder
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of AmericaVoteVets.org
Meets with Democratic Leaders on Hill
Today, VoteVets.org is profiled in the Washington Post, regarding our trips to Capitol Hill and ads we've been running.
Because of our campaign against the escalation of the war in Iraq, we're seeing some serious movement. This article details that many Senators who had blocked a debate on the bipartisan resolution against escalation are now doing a quick about-face. Because of you, the proponents of escalation of the war are starting to crumble.
We're not done yet!
This week, we had meetings with a dozen Senate offices from both sides of the aisle, and a very productive meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. We have their firm commitment that nothing will get in the way of the House speaking out forcefully against an escalation in Iraq. We will do everything we can to ensure quick passage of a resolution against escalation. Once a resolution passes in the House, and more Republicans in the Senate come to the conclusion that their political lives depend on them doing the right thing, we will see the Senate follow suit.
Please help us keep the heat on. Call your Representatives and Senators, and tell them that you stand with VoteVets.org's troops and veterans of the war in Iraq by opposing the escalation. The Capitol Hill switchboard number is 202-224-3121.
Thank you for supporting the Voice of the 21st Century American Patriot.
Best,
Jon Soltz
Iraq War veteran
Co-Founder and Chairman,
VoteVets.orgVeterans for America
Demand Congressional Action
We rushed into our war with Iraq without sufficient congressional involvement, and the consequences have been dire, far-reaching, and irrevocable.
Political action is the ONLY way to prevent this from happening again.
The 110th Congress campaigned with the promise to reengage in war making decisions and we empowered them accordingly. We must hold them to this promise.
Recently, Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-West Virginia) introduced a much-needed resolution [pdf] that states that Congress must approve any offensive military action taken by the United States against another country.
Veterans for America strongly supports Senator Byrd’s resolution, and we are working to rally support for it. To join our effort, please contact your Senators and urge them to co-sponsor Senate Resolution 39.
Send a message to your Senators by visiting the Veterans for America Congressional Action webpage. Together, we can make it clear that the American people will not allow our war to be expanded to include other countries without congressional authorization.
Thank you for your continued support,
Bobby Muller
President, Veterans for America
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2011: Jan