NEWS RELEASE
The Christian Science Monitor reported today (11/11/13) on the increasing number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans running for Congress. Among those profiled is Kirk Jorgensen, a Marine Corps veteran who is running as a Republican candidate for California’s 52nd congressional district.
More Iraq, Afghanistan vets going from service member to member of Congress
Sixteen members of Congress have served in Iraq or Afghanistan – the largest contingent of former service members to come to Capitol Hill since the 1980s. More could be on the way.
By Anna Mulrine, Staff writer / November 11, 2013
When members of the 113th Congress took their oaths of office earlier this year, they ushered into Washington the largest wave of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans since those wars began more than a decade ago.
Today, a total of 16 members have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, including the first two female combat veterans ever to be elected to Congress.That makes them the largest contingent of former service members to come to Capitol Hill since the 1980s, according to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
Since they have been voted into office, these new lawmakers “have been incredibly influential,” in helping to drive through legislation to improve care for veterans and those currently serving in the military, says Tom Tarantino, policy associate for the IAVA.