(October 20, 2008) Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s voting record on the issues that matter most to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan earned her a grade of A+ from the nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

The organization’s 2008 Congressional Report Card grades every U.S. Senator and Congressman in the 110th Congress on his or her leadership and voting record on key Iraq and Afghanistan veterans' issues.  A searchable version of the Report Card can be found at www.VeteranReportCard.org

“IAVA Action’s 2008 Congressional Report Card recognizes those lawmakers who refused to compromise on the most important issues facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).  “From passing a new GI Bill to increasing VA funding by over 10 billion dollars, the 110th Congress has made tremendous progress on behalf of America’s newest generation of heroes.  Over the last two years, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard has demonstrated that she is a great friend to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. IAVA Action is proud to give Congresswoman Roybal-Allard an A+ and would like to thank her for her leadership on these critical issues.”

Based on the legislative priorities outlined in IAVA's legislative agenda available at www.iava.org/2008-legislative-agenda, IAVA Action selected 22 key votes on veterans' issues in the 110th Congress (9 votes in the Senate and 13 votes in the House). The votes cover the entire range of issues facing new veterans, including veterans' health care, the new GI Bill, mental health, and support for homeless veterans.

Scores are based on how often legislators took the pro-veteran position and voted with IAVA Action. For every vote in line with IAVA Action and in support of veterans, the lawmaker receives one point. Those who vote against the position of IAVA Action, or those who fail to vote, do not receive a point.  In addition, because the fight for the new GI Bill was of such historic importance, the organization wanted to recognize those who had gone above and beyond voting in the bill's favor. Any Senator or Representative who signed on to be a cosponsor of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Senate bill 22, and House bill 5740) received two additional points.

The new GI Bill provides soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with the tools they need to succeed after military service. For those who have served three years on active duty since September 11, 2001, the new GI Bill covers their costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public tuition. In some cases, the education benefits can also be transferred to service members’ children and spouses. More information about this comprehensive law is available at www.gibill.va.gov 

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide.