Blog post

Here are 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) Veterans group pushes Congress to help unemployed vets

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is pressing for Congress to address the staggering rate of unemployment among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. IAVA plans to work with Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), the chairman of the Finance Committee, to introduce a jobs bill for new veterans. Click here to read IAVA's Issue Report Careers After Combat outlining recommendations for addressing veteran unemployment.

2) Army starts new school to boost ‘mental fitness’

Army officials are hoping to better arm soldiers to fight the stress that comes from repeated deployment to war zones in an effort to stem record suicide rates. The military branch on Monday plans to officially open a new school aimed at teaching soldiers how to think positively to help deal with emotional, social and psychological stress.

3) Only small portion of wounded veterans have applied to receive better benefits

Only a fraction of wounded veterans who could get better benefits have applied in the two years since Congress, acting on concerns the military was cutting costs by downplaying injuries, ordered the Pentagon to review disputed claims. As of mid-March, only 921 veterans have applied out of the 77,000 the Pentagon estimates are eligible

AFGHANISTAN

Afghan President Hamid Karzai sought Sunday to rally public support for an upcoming military operation in the Taliban's birthplace, promising that U.S. and NATO troops will push into insurgent areas there only after consultations with community leaders.

The Pentagon is focused on getting more trucks, surveillance equipment and other military equipment into Afghanistan to prepare for what will be a critical summer in the war, Defense Undersecretary Ashton Carter said on Friday.

The German military has acknowledged that its soldiers killed at least five Afghan troops in northern Kunduz province. German forces opened fire on the Afghans as they were attempting to support other troops involved in heavy fighting with suspected Taliban late on Friday.

IRAQ

Three car bombs detonated near foreign embassies in Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 32 people and wounding more than 200, security officials said.

On Saturday, people in a village in Iraq locked themselves in their homes after an attack that killed 25, which echoed the darkest days of civil war and raised concern that the country's deadlock over forming a government could provoke a renewal of sectarian bloodshed.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Soldiers who say they killed enemy troops in combat are at greater risk of suffering combat stress and having emotional problems, a new study shows. Of nearly 2,800 soldiers surveyed, 40 percent reported killing or being responsible for somebody's death in Iraq.

The Army will replace its Cold War marksmanship strategy this summer with one that has basic trainees shooting more rounds, fixing jams and changing magazines — key skills all soldiers need in today’s combat.

The assistant secretary for Veterans Affairs and two U.S. Olympic athletes joined each other on the slopes during the 24th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic on March 31.

A new $13 million training range opened March 25 that will give Marines much-needed experience in countering improvised explosive devices, which remain the most significant threat to troops in the war zones.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

The federal government is suing KBR Inc., the largest military contractor in Iraq, over what prosecutors say were improper charges to the Army for private security services.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

THE SENATE

The Senate is not in session
Reconvenes at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 12

SENATE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

April 5, 2010 Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Field Hearing on services available to Veterans in Ohio, especially Appalachia 11:15 a.m.; Scottish Rite Auditorium, Cambridge OH Veterans 9:30 a.m.

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

No issues

THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES



The House is not in session
Reconvenes at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13

HOUSE FLOOR ACTIVITY of INTEREST

No issues today

HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST



No issues today

FUTURE HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST



April 7, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Field Hearing: Serving America’s Aging Veterans: Is the VA doing Its Part? 10:00 a.m.; Fishkill Town Hall

April 15, 2010 House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Hearing: Status of Veterans Employment 1:00 p.m.; 334 Cannon HOB

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

A wide-range of views, positions, and publications are represented in these articles. These views, positions and publications are not endorsed by nor do they necessarily represent the views of IAVA .