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Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Grade McDermott Veterans Voting Record an A
October 07, 2008

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America released its Veterans Report Card 2008 today, in which it graded every Member of Congress on how they voted on veterans issues in the 110^th Congress.  In the House of Representatives, the organization looked at 13 votes and Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) received a near-perfect grade of A in his report card from the IAVA. 

The group disagreed with one of the congressman’s votes, but McDermott explained that the veterans issue was part of a much larger defense bill that he was forced to vote against, and that he would have strongly supported a stand alone version of the veterans’ issue.

The IAVA said “it prepared the report to show who really supports our troops and veterans.”

Rep. McDermott said: “IAVA believes that actions speak louder than words, and I am very proud of my record of strong support and congressional action to honor and support Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and all U.S. veterans.” 

According to the IAVA, 1.7 million veterans have served in one or both wars.  The organization said its report card is based on 13 votes in the House and listed them as follows:

· Funding Veterans’ Health Care, 2007; January 31, 2007: 2007 House Vote #72

· Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act; March 21, 2007: 2007 House Vote #174

· Wounded Warriors Assistance Act; March 28, 2007: 2007 House Vote #208

· Refugee Status for Iraqi Interpreters; May 22, 2007: 2007 House Vote #399

· Treating Traumatic Brain Injury; May 23, 2007: 2007 House Vote #413

· Funding Veterans’ Health Care, 2008; June 15, 2007: 2007 House Vote #498

· Expanded Veterans’ Benefits; December 12, 2007: 2007 House Vote #1151

· Veterans Guaranteed Bonus Act; December 18, 2007: 2007 House Vote #1176

· The post-9/11 GI Bill: Fair Education Benefits for Veterans (first vote); May 15, 2008: 2008 House Vote #330

• A Second Rate GI Bill; May 23, 2008: 2008 House Vote #364
• The post-9/ii GI Bill: Fair Education Benefits for Veterans (second vote); June 19, 2008: 2008 House Vote #432
• Homes For Heroes; July 9, 2008: 2008 House Vote #478
• Funding Veterans’ Health Care, 2009; August 1, 2008: 2008 House Vote #563