Congress approved $3 billion in emergency VA funding in September, but officials now say they did not need the money to cover immediate bills. The bad welds are not on components that would impact ship safety or operations, but the Navy said it is reviewing at least 23 potentially impacted ships. In one case, a veteran with esophageal cancer had radiation therapy incorrectly denied for several months before dying from the illness. Of the 75 congressional candidates this cycle with a combat zone deployment, 62 of them served in Iraq, Afghanistan or both. VA officials had warned that without the money, some disability benefits payouts could have been disrupted in the next few weeks. VA officials have warned of a nearly $3 billion shortfall in funding for this fiscal year which could disrupt October benefits checks. 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. It would also expand Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance for those in the Delayed Entry Program. A Senate panel supports an extra 1% pay bump for young enlisted troops next year, far less than what House lawmakers want. The White House noted its concerns with the FY25 defense policy bill's shipbuilding plans, an east coast missile defense site and contractor pricing data. Load More
