Pentagon and Congress | Military Times

Lawmakers urge Air Force to shift fighters to guard, reserve squadrons

They worry that if A-10s at Guard bases in Maryland and Michigan retire without a replacement, those squadrons could lose their fighter missions.

2 days ago

Lawmakers press VA for stronger rules against discrimination

Congressional Democrats and outside advocates say updated policies for the department are long overdue.

2 days ago

Veterans

VA workers face more mandatory overtime amid record claims processing

The backlog of overdue disability claims is expected to keep rising over the next year.

VA again found homes for 38K struggling vets in 2023

Department outreach efforts have helped nearly 80,000 veterans since the start of 2022.

3 days ago

VA delays disputed change in how it pays for veterans’ ambulance trips

New rules were set to go into effect next February but will now be delayed until 2025.

5 days ago

Concern about military toxic exposure injuries remains high among vets

Roughly four in 10 veterans think they may have been exposed to harmful chemicals or toxic conditions during their time in the service.

10 days ago

Transgender vets threaten to sue VA over delay in surgery options

VA officials announced plans to provide gender conforming surgeries more than two years ago, but have not moved ahead on the promise.

11 days ago

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.

Defense Secretary Austin meets with Zelenskyy in Ukraine

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to make a high-profile push to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine.

12 days ago

Federal aid to veteran-owned small businesses grew in FY23

The number of veterans receiving aid to start their own companies has risen significantly over the last three years.

12 days ago

VA pauses foreclosures on home loans amid concerns of financial strain

The department is also extending financial help programs to give more support to veterans having trouble making loan payments.

12 days ago

This image from video provided by the Department of Defense shows a Nov. 8, 2023, airstrike on a weapons warehouse. center, in eastern Syria.

How the US strikes a balance in responding to attacks on its forces

According to the Pentagon, Iranian-backed militants have launched 61 attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17

13 days ago

Veteran suicides rose in 2021 despite increased prevention efforts

More than 70,000 veterans died by suicide from 2011 to 2001.

2 weeks ago

VA pledges investigation into crisis line after whistleblower concerns

The Government Accountability Office is also expected to launch an investigation into the suicide prevention hotline.

2 weeks ago

President Joe Biden and China's President President Xi Jinping walk in the gardens at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference.

Biden, Xi agree to restart military communications

President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping left their first meeting in a year showcasing modest agreements to re-establish military communications.

2 weeks ago

Eugene Vindman, Army vet who drew Trump’s ire, to run for Congress

Eugene Vindman and his brother, Alexander, were both forced out of their jobs at the National Security Council by Trump.

2 weeks ago

Vets calling crisis line get lost in system, whistleblowers warn

A government watchdog group has promised to investigate the claims.

2 weeks ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters ahead of a crucial vote on a continuing resolution to keep the government funded at its current levels, a measure not heartily supported by the hard right wing of his party, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023.

House votes to prevent a government shutdown

The Senate is expected to approve the proposal by week’s end, effectively pushing a final showdown over government funding to the new year.

3 weeks ago

Democrats advance plan to force quick vote on military nominations

The plan still needs support from Republican senators before the military leadership posts can be filled.

3 weeks ago

VA officials accused of ignoring sexual harassment are reassigned

Whistleblowers reached out to Congress to report “unwarranted sexually suggestive and aggressive messages" from a senior manager.

3 weeks ago

Pentagon & Congress

The latest military news from the Pentagon and Congress.

They worry that if A-10s at Guard bases in Maryland and Michigan retire without a replacement, those squadrons could lose their fighter missions.

Congressional Democrats and outside advocates say updated policies for the department are long overdue.

The backlog of overdue disability claims is expected to keep rising over the next year.

Department outreach efforts have helped nearly 80,000 veterans since the start of 2022.

New rules were set to go into effect next February but will now be delayed until 2025.

Roughly four in 10 veterans think they may have been exposed to harmful chemicals or toxic conditions during their time in the service.

VA officials announced plans to provide gender conforming surgeries more than two years ago, but have not moved ahead on the promise.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to make a high-profile push to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine.

The number of veterans receiving aid to start their own companies has risen significantly over the last three years.

The department is also extending financial help programs to give more support to veterans having trouble making loan payments.

According to the Pentagon, Iranian-backed militants have launched 61 attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17

More than 70,000 veterans died by suicide from 2011 to 2001.

The Government Accountability Office is also expected to launch an investigation into the suicide prevention hotline.

President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping left their first meeting in a year showcasing modest agreements to re-establish military communications.

Eugene Vindman and his brother, Alexander, were both forced out of their jobs at the National Security Council by Trump.

A government watchdog group has promised to investigate the claims.

The Senate is expected to approve the proposal by week’s end, effectively pushing a final showdown over government funding to the new year.

The plan still needs support from Republican senators before the military leadership posts can be filled.

Whistleblowers reached out to Congress to report “unwarranted sexually suggestive and aggressive messages" from a senior manager.