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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) Shinseki vows to reduce disability claims backlog this year

Prioritizing the work ahead shortly after his first anniversary on the job, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said his focus for the year ahead is on reducing the disability claims backlog. “We are going to break the back of the backlog this year,” Secretary Shinseki said during an interview with American Forces Press Service.

2) Navy officially bans smoking from all submarines

The Navy announced Thursday a ban on smoking aboard submarines while they are deployed below the surface after medical testing showed non-smokers suffered effects of second-hand smoke. It will take effect by Dec. 31, 2010.

3) States try to link up vets with federal government benefits

Some states are saving millions of dollars by using a national database — originally created to find welfare cheats — to link veterans to health and benefits from the federal government they didn't know were available.

AFGHANISTAN

Military flights from Manas air base into Afghanistan were suspended following violent political upheaval in Kyrgyzstan, disrupting the movement of NATO troops and raising questions about the status of the U.S. military at the strategic logistical hub.

Seeking to quell an increasingly vitriolic and public dispute, the Obama administration said Wednesday that President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan was “a figure that we respect,” and it sharply countered claims by a former United Nations official that the president might be a drug user.

A U.S. aircraft crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing three U.S. servicemembers and one civilian employee, a statement from NATO-led forces said Friday.

IRAQ

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, whose Iraqiya alliance edged out Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's party in national elections last month, warned of potential chaos and violence if he is denied the right to form the country's next government.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said a comprehensive national security strategy report that is months overdue should be finished in the next few weeks.

When "Army Wives" begins a new season on TV this weekend, it will offer fans not only good drama, but an outlet to lessen stress on military spouses, some of whom host viewing parties for the hit show.

Eight months ago, VA Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth tapped Brandon Friedman to revamp the VA’s social media presence. His work appears to be gaining some traction, as the department's Facebook page has gained about 20,000 fans in five months and the VA continues to build a presence through blogging and Twitter.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

U.S. senate hopeful Sue Lowden, who is facing Sen. Harry Reid in November, attacked Reid for his record on veterans issues in a new TV advertisement. Reid responded by defending his efforts and said Lowden should check her own record.

Idaho Sen. Jim Risch is co-sponsoring a bill that would allow veterans to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to pay for vocational and technical schools.

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

No issues

FUTURE COMMITTEE HEARINGS of INTEREST

April 15, 2010 Senate Appropriations MilCon-VA Subcommittee Hearing: FY 2011 Budget. Witnesses from VA: The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki 2:00 p.m.; Location TBD

April 21, 2010 Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing: VA Disability Compensation: Presumptive Disability Decision- Making 9:30 a.m.; 418 Russell

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 .