Stopgap budget bill includes extra funds for military, VA programs
The six-month budget bill must be approved by lawmakers before Friday night to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Pentagon & Congress
Congress faces Friday budget deadline to avoid government shutdown
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 10, 2025.
Congress readies troop pay protections as federal shutdown looms again
If lawmakers do not pass a new budget bill by March 14, funding for most federal programs and serives will run out.
VA to speed up health records system rollout, with new sites this year
A previous plan to deploy the controversial health records system to more VA hospitals in mid-2026 was short-sighted and slow, the new VA secretary said.
What troops need to know about the GI Bill, tuition assistance in 2025
The military helps troops and veterans achieve their educational goals with financial assistance offered through a number of programs.
VA secretary insists massive staff cuts needed to refocus department
Secretary Doug Collins confirmed leaders are looking at trimming 80,000 workers to slim down the growing VA bureaucracy.
Trump to launch new White House office focused on shipbuilding
The president said the new effort will focus on ways to "resurrect the American shipbuilding industry."
After review, VA scales back plans for contract cancellations
In the last week, department leaders have revised plans to cancel hundreds of contracts in a cost-saving move.
Senator invites fired VA inspector general as guest for Trump speech
Michael Missal served as the VA's top watchdog for eight years, during which he identified $45 billion in potential savings and questionable expenditures.
Trump speech to Congress expected to key on Ukraine, national security
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 3, 2025.
DOD civilians ordered to respond to ‘what did you do last week?’ email
In a memo, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that all employees will receive a new request for a five-point summation of their weekly accomplishments.
Trump names special ops vet Hung Cao as Navy Under Secretary
The former Virginia Senate candidate will serve the second-ranking civilian leader for the service.
Disabled vets continue to struggle finding post-military employment
The latest survey by Wounded Warrior Project shows a higher unemployment rate for disabled veterans than their civilian peers.
VA claims $2B in savings from contract cuts — then reverses course
Critics worry the contract cuts could hurt department medical operations and support services for veterans.
Senate confirms Daniel Driscoll as new Army secretary
The 38-year-old Army veteran has promised to focus on recruiting and industrial base support in his new leadership role.
VA fires 1,400 more staffers in second round of workforce reductions
About 2,500 VA workers have been forced out of their jobs in the last few weeks.
VA staff told to reply to Musk’s ‘What did you do last week’ email
More than 2 million federal workers received an email over the weekend threatening firing if they can't justify their work performance by Monday night.
