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Here re some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA. Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom or subscribe to receive the brief in your inbox each morning at www.iava.org/dailynewsbrief.

MUST READS

1) Feeling Warehoused in Army Trauma Care Units

Warrior Transition Units, which were created to provide a sanctuary that would help injured soldiers recover from physical and psychological injuries, are being criticized by some troops as being “worse than being in Iraq.” Troops complain they are given too many prescription pills without the necessary therapy and are often left to languish by themselves.

2) Obama seeks to aid vet-owned small businesses

The Obama administration is renewing efforts to expand opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses, hoping that a little aid to those who own or want to own their own businesses will help fuel a larger boost in the U.S. economy.

3) Protections for Tricare are signed into law

The Tricare Affirmation Act, aimed at protecting people in the military health care program from being penalized for not having private insurance, was signed into law Monday by President Obama.

AFGHANISTAN

A wave of violence sweeping the southern city of Kandahar has forced the United Nations to tell more than 200 of its Afghan employees to stay home , a U.N. official said Monday.

Air Force spy planes flying above Afghanistan have shifted their focus from solely tracking insurgents to monitoring developments in daily life for Afghan citizens, commanders say.

IRAQ

The United States is trying to resolve the growing crisis over the formation of a new Iraqi government, by helping strike a deal between current prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and his main rival Iyad Allawi under.

A court has disqualified one winning candidate and 51 others on charges of formerly belonging to the Baath Party, delaying the formation of a government and raising tensions.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

The Pentagon effort to consolidate two premier hospitals for treating wounded troops has more than doubled in price and is so rudderless that an independent review and a bipartisan group of legislators say the care could suffer.

Mental health issues and substance abuse are the greatest predictive factors for incarceration in America. And that has put thousands of veterans on a collision course with the nation’s criminal justice system.

The U.S. military has canceled a major field exercise that tests its response to a nuclear attack, angering some officials.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's appearance at Virginia Military Institute has been postponed until the fall.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate convenes at 10 a.m.

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

May 19 2010 Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: Pending Legislation 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES 



The House convenes at noon.

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



No issues

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST 



April 29, 2010 The House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health will mark up:

1) HR 1017 regarding chiropractic care, with an amendment;

2) HR 2506, the Veteran Hearing Assessment Act, with an amendment; and

3) a new draft version of a bill regarding reimbursement for continuing professional medical education.

May 5, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: Status Update on the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study 10:00 a.m.; 334 Cannon House Office Building

May 6, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Hearing: Quality vs. Quantity: Examining the Veterans Benefits Administration‚s Employee Work Credit and Management Systems

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