Skip to main content

ATTENTION: This site is no longer active but remains as an archive.

Iraq Veterans Against the War has become About Face: Veterans Against the War. About Face can be found at aboutfaceveterans.org

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Join IVAW

Donate to IVAW

  • About
    • Founding of IVAW
    • Mission, Values, and Vision
    • War in Afghanistan
    • Why We Are against the Wars
    • Resolutions
    • IVAW Timeline
    • Board of Directors
    • Advisory Committee
    • Staff
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Operation Recovery
    • Winter Soldier
      • Breakdown of the Military
      • Civilian Testimony
      • Corporate Pillaging
      • Cost of War at Home
      • Crisis in Veterans Healthcare
      • Future of GI Resistance
      • Gender and Sexuality
      • Legacy of GI Resistance
      • Racism and War
      • Response to DoD
      • Rules of Engagement
      • Press Coverage
      • Press Releases
    • Right to Heal
  • Members
  • Resources
    • AWOL
    • Active Duty
    • Conscientious Objector
    • Depleted Uranium
    • History of Resistance
    • IRR Reactivation
    • Lariam
    • PTSD
    • Profiles of Resisters
    • Resources for Veterans
    • Stop Loss
    • Women's Resources
    • Mesothelioma
  • Press
  • Contact
    • Press
    • Speaker Request

IVAW Statement on Blocked Veterans Omnibus Bill

published by IVAW National on 02/28/14 2:03pm
Posted to: 
Staff

Vets Outraged by Political Gamesmanship Over Veterans Healthcare Bill

Yesterday members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) were disgusted to witness the Republican party engage in acts of cynical political maneuvering. A historic veterans omnibus bill (S.1982) that would have increased the quality of life for millions of veterans instead became a political stunt designed to push through dangerous and diplomatically irresponsible sanctions on Iran. When that stunt didn’t work the GOP blocked the passage of a bill that would have opened up 27 new VA health clinics, strengthened one of many health programs like sexual trauma care and gone far in reducing the benefits backlog. These are just a few of the many opportunities to improve the lives of veterans that political gamesmanship squandered.

“Why would Congressional members put Iran sanctions into a bill meant to care for so many veterans? The answer is that in the end members of Congress like Mitch McConnell don’t actually care about healing veterans.” said Matt Howard, Marine veteran and Communications Director of IVAW.

As an organization that includes many of its members in the 2.5 million veterans that have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, IVAW is acutely aware of the challenges that have beset our generation. We are also familiar with the gap between rhetoric and action in supporting our troops and service members and unfortunately this is yet another example. The costs of our most recent wars have been high on both sides and will continue to be so as veterans come home to grapple with high rates of PTSD, military sexual trauma, and traumatic brain injury. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Bernie Sanders this bill would have gone far in addressing these challenges and, by being fully funded, was fiscally responsible.

The fact that this bill would have paid for itself from funds originally designed to be used in Iraq and Afghanistan is vitally important because taking care of those who fight the nation’s wars is part of the wars’ total cost. This could have been an opportunity to divert funds from wars of choice and an opportunity to reinvest them in healing, education and reparations for all people impacted by these recent wars.

*****

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) advocacy group of veterans and active-duty U.S. military personnel who have served since September 11, 2001. IVAW’s Right to Heal Initiative is focused on holding the U.S. government accountable for human right violations of the health of Iraqis, Afghans and U.S. veterans. IVAW currently has over 2,500 members in fifty states, as well as in Canada, Europe, and Afghanistan.

 

IVAW and Afghans for Peace Lead Historic March on NATO: Veterans Hurl Global War on Terror Medals towards NATO Summit As Thousands Cheer

Like our work? Donate now to our growing movement. Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans, hand-in-hand with Afghans for Peace, made history this Sunday when we led a march of thousands against NATO then returned our Global War on...

Convention 2012: Save the date!

Everyone, This year's IVAW annual convention will be held July 5 - 8, 2012 in Austin, Texas. Save the date! Based on the positive feedback from the 2009 convention in Maryland, we have reserved McKinney Falls State Park...

On the Ground in Basra: An Interview with Hashmeya Muhsin al-Saadawi

May 2, 2012 - Iraqi unions demonstrated yesterday on May Day 2012 at a difficult historical moment. Still operating without a labor law that sanctions their organizing, and under the consolidation of Prime Minister Nouri al-...

This is Where We Take Our Stand

This is Where We Take Our Stand is now broadcasting on PBS. Check your local listings, and if it's not on, let your local station know you want to see it. Follow the film at http://www.thisiswherewetakeourstand.com. In March...

Arredondo Family Mourns Death of Second Son

Dec 22, 2011 - IVAW is deeply saddened to learn about the death of Brian Arredondo, son of Carlos and Melida Arredondo. Brian chose to end his life on December 19th, the day the Iraq war ended. Veterans for Peace reports, "...

IVAW Recognized on The Nation's 2011 Progressive Honor Roll

Dec 21, 2011 - (New York) Iraq Veterans Against the War is excited to be recognized in The Nation's 2011 Progressive Honor Roll today as the "Most Valuable Rapid Reponse" to the Scott Olsen incident at Occupy Oakland....

Pages

  • « First
  • ‹ Prev
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • …
  • Next ›
  • Last »

Supporter Newsletter!

Donations

Make a single donation or become an IVAW sustainer by making your donation a recurring one. Please consider making your generous gift right now.
Donate Online Today!

Speaker Request

Please be advised that we get many speaker requests, but regret that we are sometimes unable to fill them.
Speaker Request

Joining IVAW

Iraq Veterans Against the War is open to Active Duty, National Guard and Reservists who have served since 09/11/2001.
Join IVAW

Navigation

  • About
  • Events
  • Campaigns
  • Committees
  • Chapters
  • Members
  • Resources
  • Contact