November 2, 2021

Here’s a timeline of America’s 20 years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq

Twenty years ago in October, the United States began combat operations in Afghanistan. At that time, the U.S. was justified in beginning military engagement against enemies who had planned and executed the attacks of September 11, 2001, or had harbored those enemies. But not long after operations started, the war in Afghanistan took a turn… Read more »

October 18, 2021

As the ‘forever wars’ end, what will happen to veterans as they seek medical care?

As the generation of post-9/11 war veterans seek care for unique health needs and challenges, it is imperative that the Department of Veterans Affairs is prepared to serve them. But the department’s implementation of the VA MISSION Act and standards for accessing non-VA medical care has been discouraging. Concerned Veterans for America Coalitions Director Jimmie… Read more »

October 14, 2021

Is the VA trying to keep veterans away from community care?

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Veterans Affairs began canceling veterans’ appointments. Nearly 20 million were canceled, delayed, or rescheduled, leaving many veterans without much needed medical care during a national health crisis. But those canceled and delayed appointments are just a piece of the trouble brewing at the VA, dragging… Read more »

October 6, 2021

Explainer: What is the NDAA and why should you care about it?

Updated July 15, 2022. One of the biggest pieces of legislation you might not have heard about is the National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA is the country’s annual defense spending authorization bill, setting our military budget for the next year. The House of Representatives puts forward its bill first, then the Senate introduces its… Read more »

September 23, 2021

A look at why withdrawing from Afghanistan was the right decision

The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has been a difficult reminder of years of missteps and mistakes, reinforced by the tragic death of 13 American service members and 169 Afghan civilians as the withdrawal drew to a close. As Washington tries to make sense of the botched evacuation, it’s imperative that it sees the war in… Read more »

September 10, 2021

Watch: Veterans reflect on September 11 on 20th anniversary

For many Americans, September 11, 2001, is a clear memory. We remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard the sobering news that planes had hit both towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and had crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. We watched with horror and deep… Read more »

September 8, 2021

Get to know CVA: Five things to know about Education Director John Byrnes

Concerned Veterans for America has a grassroots army advocating the freedom and prosperity America’s veterans fought for. Those veterans and military families have joined us over the years to partner on the issues that matter most to them, and many have been in our ranks for years. But John Byrnes has been with CVA longer… Read more »