Pleasanton, CA – Congressman Jerry McNerney announced today that he received a grade of “A” from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Action Fund for his voting record during the 111^th Congress.  Rep. McNerney is one of only five members of Congress from California to receive an “A.”  Rep. McNerney’s grade was released as part of IAVA Action Fund’s official 2010 Congressional Report Card.

“I’m honored to receive an ‘A’ grade from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America,” said Rep. McNerney.  “Our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are heroes who risk their lives to keep us safe, and I’m proud to stand up for them when they return home.  I’ll continue to do what’s right and make sure that our returning service members receive the care and benefits they’ve earned.”

Rep. McNerney, a member of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, has worked tirelessly to improve the availability and quality of veterans’ benefits and has played a leading role addressing the unique needs of heroes returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Unfortunately, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the signature wounds of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In response this problem, Rep. McNerney introduced the Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act, which was signed into law.  Rep. McNerney’s bill establishes a special panel at the Department of Veterans Affairs tasked with improving care and treatment of veterans with TBI.