FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 7, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or

IAVA Launches 2008 Legislative Agenda on Capitol Hill
Iraq Vets Testify Before House and Senate Committees, Urge Passage of a New GI Bill

NEW YORK - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, today released its 2008 Legislative Agenda.  The Agenda offers sound policy solutions to the most urgent problems facing America's newest generation of veterans and their families.  Two IAVA veterans will move that agenda forward when they testify on Capitol Hill this afternoon.  At 1pm, IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff will testify in front of the full House Veterans Affairs Committee.  IAVA's Director of Government Affairs, Todd Bowers, will urge lawmakers to act on IAVA's legislative priorities in his 3pm testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel today.

 "Everyone from Hillary Clinton to Mitt Romney has said the current GI Bill is outdated.  It's critical that we pass a new GI Bill that actually pays for the cost of college. Today's troops deserve the same educational benefits World War II veterans received.  We need less talk and more action from lawmakers on this vital issue," said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Executive Director.  "We look forward to meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to get a new GI Bill passed this year."

For the next few weeks, IAVA will be bringing this message to Washington. Starting the week of February 11^th, IAVA veterans from across the country will storm Capitol Hill to urge Senators and Representatives to support key legislation for veterans.

IAVA's 2008 Legislative Agenda can be downloaded at  http://www.iava.org/legislativeagenda

Media Availability: Paul Rieckhoff and Todd Bowers will be available for interviews before and after their hearings today.  To arrange an interview with Paul or Todd, or to see IAVA veterans in action on Capitol Hill next week, please contact Michael Houston at (212) 982-9699 or .

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  A nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 80,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in all 50 states. For more information, please visit www.iava.org.