Pentagon and Congress

After debt fight, Congress turns its attention to defense budget

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 5, 2023.

24 hours ago

Austin seeks meeting with China, says ‘right time to talk is now’

“The United States believes that open lines of communication with the People’s Republic of China are essential," Austin said.

3 days ago

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, May 18, 2023.

Pentagon & Congress

Pentagon stops US military bases from hosting drag shows

At least one show was canceled as a result.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reviews the guard of honor at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo Thursday, June 1, 2023.

US defense secretary calls China’s refusal to meet unfortunate

On a stop in Tokyo, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of communication between Washington's and Beijing's defense authorities.

4 days ago

Intel leaks ‘will never happen again,’ vows top National Guard officer

Gen. Daniel Hokanson said investigations so far have not shown systemic problems with who has access to the military's most sensitive secrets.

4 days ago

Advocates struggle to help homeless vets as COVID support disappears

The end of the national pandemic emergency also ended extra support services for homeless veterans.

5 days ago

Veterans Affairs medical sites drop mandatory mask requirements

Visitors and patients will no longer be required to wear masks at all times at the health care sites.

6 days ago

Veterans program funding ends up a winner in debt limit deal

Veterans program funding would see an increase in fiscal 2024, unlike most other non-defense spending.

6 days ago

Army vet turned DC insider now a historic nominee for Veterans Affairs

VA Chief of Staff Tanya Bradsher is in line to be the first woman confirmed to the department's second-highest post.

7 days ago

Debt ceiling agreement locks in Biden’s proposed defense budget

The White House and House Republicans reached a debt ceiling agreement that increases the defense budget by 3.3% while cutting non-defense spending.

8 days ago

Vets benefits, VA staff paychecks and more endangered by debt fight

Negotiators will work through Memorial Day weekend in hopes of reaching a compromise on the issue before June 1.

10 days ago

VA move to curb remote work puts all federal workers on notice

Decisions on new federal policies for off-site work could upend the pandemic adjustments made by millions of workers.

11 days ago

Biden picks Brown to be Joint Chiefs chairman

President Biden singled out Brown's Accelerate Change or Lose strategy as exactly what the military needs: "General, you're right on."

11 days ago

Pentagon says allies will unite to train Ukrainians on F-16s

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in addition to training, Ukraine will need to be able to sustain and maintain the aircraft and have enough munitions.

11 days ago

Rules still punish military widows for remarrying by slashing benefits

Starting a new relationship after the death of a service member can cost grieving spouses tens of thousands of dollars in support stipends.

12 days ago

VA to scale back remote work rules, require more in-office time

The changes will begin with workers in the Washington, D.C. headquarters starting this fall.

12 days ago

Vets will see a cost-of-living boost in benefit checks next year

Legislation passed by the House and Senate will ensure veterans benefits will get the same cost-of-living increase as Social Security payouts.

12 days ago

Should VA keep spending leftover COVID funds or give them back?

When the national COVID-19 emergency ended earlier this month, about $2.1 billion in extra money for veterans support remained unused.

13 days ago

Hopes for debt limit deal as June deadline looms

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 22, 2023.

2 weeks ago

Pentagon & Congress

The latest military news from the Pentagon and Congress.

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 5, 2023.

“The United States believes that open lines of communication with the People’s Republic of China are essential," Austin said.

At least one show was canceled as a result.

On a stop in Tokyo, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of communication between Washington's and Beijing's defense authorities.

Gen. Daniel Hokanson said investigations so far have not shown systemic problems with who has access to the military's most sensitive secrets.

The end of the national pandemic emergency also ended extra support services for homeless veterans.

Visitors and patients will no longer be required to wear masks at all times at the health care sites.

Veterans program funding would see an increase in fiscal 2024, unlike most other non-defense spending.

VA Chief of Staff Tanya Bradsher is in line to be the first woman confirmed to the department's second-highest post.

The White House and House Republicans reached a debt ceiling agreement that increases the defense budget by 3.3% while cutting non-defense spending.

Negotiators will work through Memorial Day weekend in hopes of reaching a compromise on the issue before June 1.

Decisions on new federal policies for off-site work could upend the pandemic adjustments made by millions of workers.

President Biden singled out Brown's Accelerate Change or Lose strategy as exactly what the military needs: "General, you're right on."

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in addition to training, Ukraine will need to be able to sustain and maintain the aircraft and have enough munitions.

Starting a new relationship after the death of a service member can cost grieving spouses tens of thousands of dollars in support stipends.

The changes will begin with workers in the Washington, D.C. headquarters starting this fall.

Legislation passed by the House and Senate will ensure veterans benefits will get the same cost-of-living increase as Social Security payouts.

When the national COVID-19 emergency ended earlier this month, about $2.1 billion in extra money for veterans support remained unused.

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 22, 2023.