House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026
Republicans approved plans for an 18% boost in total Veterans Affairs spending next year, but the measure is far from becoming law.
Veterans
Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings
The effort is designed to show support for legal immigration of more Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the war overseas.
Lawmakers press VA for details on DOGE access to vets records
Democrats want promises from department leaders that sensitive medical and financial information is being handled securely.
Fort named after Gen. Robert E. Lee will now honor a Buffalo Soldier
Fort Gregg-Adams, formerly Fort Lee, was in 2023 the first Army base to be named for Black Americans. Now, it'll be the first named for a Buffalo Solider.
VA staff finished 2M disability claims faster than ever this year
The department is about 15% ahead of its claims workload pace from last summer.
ICE detains Marine Corps veteran’s wife at green card meeting
Prior to Trump’s push to drive up deportations, USCIS provided more discretion for vets seeking legal status for a family member, legal experts say.
Afghanistan War Commission hears from vets as it tackles troop surge
The commission will hold a multipanel hearing on what for many is a defining point of the war: President Barack Obama’s troop surge in late 2009.
Congressional defense plans slowed by unsettled reconciliation debate
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 23, 2025.
After more than 80 years, this Marine returned home from Guadalcanal
A 1942 aerial map that had previously gone unnoticed and unused in a Hawaiian museum archive held the key to locating Rowe and his fellow Devil Dogs.
The history of presidents activating US troops on American soil
U.S. presidents have rarely federalized the National Guard to intervene in protests on U.S. soil.
White House taps nominees for VA’s top benefits, technology roles
Karen Brazell currently works as a senior VA advisor and would serve as the department's next Under Secretary for Benefits.
Hegseth says Army base renamings will move ahead, despite concerns
Military officials expect to formally order the return to Confederate base names soon, but with different honorees.
Supreme Court ruling gives extra payouts to some combat-wounded vets
The high court ruled that limits on the government's combat-related special compensation program unfairly took away support for injured vets.
LA unrest cancels more than 600 appointments at city’s VA clinic
The Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center has been clsoed since Monday because of ongoing security concerns related to immigration protests.
New bill would expand exception to Medal of Honor 5-year limitation
The Valor Has No Expiration Act would remove arbitrary timelines and expand the criteria to include classified acts or those withheld from the public.
Hegseth won’t rule out military actions against Greenland, Panama
The defense secretary dodged questions from lawmakers about possible Defense Department plans against the allied territories.
Former VA Secretary McDonough to host town hall countering DC parade
The Friday night discussion on veterans issues is part of a series of events from Democrats scheduled around the controversial Army parade in Washington.
