Congress moves to fix VA budget gap, but time is running out
House and Senate leaders hope to approve $3 billion in extra funding for Veterans Affairs benefits checks by Sept. 20.
Pentagon & Congress
Lawmakers demand Army sanction Trump over Arlington Cemetery visit
Three key House Democrats want Army leaders to release more files on possible rules violations during the former president's visit to the cemetery.
VA delays rule change on how it pays veterans’ air ambulance services
Industry advocates said the rule changes could have hurt services for tens of thousands of veteran patients annually.
As Congress returns to DC, so does the threat of a federal shutdown
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Sept. 9, 2024.
Vets’ benefits checks could be delayed without a VA funding fix soon
VA officials have warned of a nearly $3 billion shortfall in funding for this fiscal year which could disrupt October benefits checks.
Years into civilian jobs, vets struggle with networking, resume skills
Labor Department officials have seen a sizable number of older veterans seeking out help with their midcareer job searches.
Army blasts Trump trip to Arlington cemetery for violating decorum
Service officials said a cemetery staffer was shoved by Trump campaign staff during the former president's visit on Monday.
Price tag for VA’s new GI Bill online platform has jumped nearly $500M
VA officials said the original $453 million contract for the work has now been updated 25 times. The new price tag for the project is $932 million.
Legion officials jab Harris, Trump for skipping veterans conventions
Legion officials said they invited both Harris and Trump to resume the tradition this year, but were rebuffed.
Trump campaign denies fighting with Arlington National Cemetery staff
NPR reported that a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump staffers from filming in Section 60, but the individual was verbally abused and shoved aside.
Combat tours don’t cause permanent readjustment issues for vets: Study
A 20-year study of more than 2,000 Swedish service members found no long-term obstacles to them finding work and succeeding after serving in war zones.
Trump promises to launch Space National Guard if elected
The Republican nominee for president said he will push for a dedicated National Guard branch for space missions if he is re-elected.
Trump clarifies Medal of Honor comments, calls it the ‘ultimate’ honor
The former president caused controversy with remarks last week saying a civilian medal was a better honor than the military award.
Vets’ PACT Act claims continue to rise, two years after law’s passage
More than 1 million disability claims related to military toxic exposure have been approved in the first two years of the veterans benefits legislation.
Vets may see only a small cost-of-living boost in benefits next year
An outside watchdog estimates the benefits adjustment will be less than 3% in 2025.
Trump belittles Medal of Honor award in campaign speech
“They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they’re dead,” Trump said of Medal of Honor recipients.
Opportunities for veterans are abundant in skilled trades
America has a trade career problem — and veterans can help solve it.
