Trump taps businessman John Phelan to be Navy secretary
Phelan is the first service secretary pick announced by the president-elect for his second term in the White House.
Veterans
VA wants $6.6B in extra funding for FY25, down from $12B request
Officials revised their initial ask downward after criticism from lawmakers over previous inaccurate estimates.
As the VA secretary departs, focus remains on outreach, trust
VA care and benefits have seen signifcant growth in recent years, a trend that the outgoing secretary hopes will continue.
VA acknowledges significant errors in budget shortfall predictions
Department leaders had warned of funding gaps of up to $18 billion but now believe those estimates were too high.
Women in combat ‘proficient,’ SecDef says, dismissing calls for change
Austin praised women in the military and said they should not be removed from front-line fighting posts.
Lawmakers advance plans to boost veteran caregiver support
Bipartisan legislation passed by the House would improve at-home care options for ailing vets and mandate protections for community care programs.
Trump picks former congressman Doug Collins as next VA secretary
Collins served as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve and deployed to Iraq in 2008.
Military suicides rose in 2023, continuing a troubling trend
Officials said that the suicide rate among troops has increased steadily over the last decade.
Could Trump drop the VA and DOD abortion access policies right away?
Advocates say undoing the military's abortion policy may be easier than ending VA rules.
Trump picks Fox commentator Pete Hegseth as his next Defense Secretary
Hegseth is an Army veteran and will need to be confirmed by the Senate before taking over the top civilian Pentagon post.
VA plans to drop co-pays for all telehealth services
The move is part of broader department efforts to expand telehealth options for patients.
Lawmakers want VA to better secure records after campaign violations
Justice Department officials are reivewing whether VA employees improperly viewed health records of both VP candidates.
Homelessness among veterans drops to record low levels
Just under 33,000 veterans were without stable housing across America in January.
Next year’s Congress will feature the most women vet members ever
At least eight women with military backgrounds will serve in the House and Senate in 2025.
Former VA physician found guilty of sexually assaulting a patient
The doctor was accused of assualting multiple patients during routine exams in 2019 and 2020.
Senate VA committee chairman Tester loses to Navy vet challenger
Tim Sheehy's win coupled with other GOP victories will give Republicans control of the Senate next year.
Best for Vets: Hiring veterans on the other side of the world
Military Times' annual Best for Vets list looks at the top veteran-friendly employers.
