VA unveils next 13 sites for electronic health record rollout
VA planners want to speed the rollout of their controversial electronic health records overhaul project with more than a dozen new sites in 2026.
Pentagon & Congress
Hegseth orders review of physical standards for military combat roles
Women already must pass gender-neutral physical fitness requirements for combat posts, but Hegseth contends the standards for women are lower.
Confirmation hearing set on Trump’s pick for Joint Chiefs chairman
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 31, 2025.
Lawmaker warns government ‘savings’ could cost vets critical services
Democrats must highlight the dangers of planned VA cuts to both veterans and the public, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano said.
Military stores prepare for tariffs, aiming to keep costs down
Military store officials expect tariffs to affect exchanges, including the availability and cost of certain items.
Senate confirms former VA benefits chief as new deputy secretary
Army veteran Paul Lawrence will serve as the second-ranking leader at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Watchdog blasts VA leaders for exaggerating budget shortfall last year
Investigators said that VA officials had enough budget flexibility all of last year despite repeated warnings of a possible funding shortfall.
Senators request inquiry into military secrets shared on Signal app
Republican and Democratic leaders on the Senate Armed Services Committee are requesting a formal investigation into the Signal chat scandal.
Senator pushes for new rules letting academy athletes play pro sports
A proposed policy allowing academy athletes to defer their military service to play pro sports could be included in the annual defense authorization bill.
‘Obviously classified’: Experts say Hegseth chat leaks invited danger
Former U.S. defense officials said the unsecured messaging chain could have jeopardized the operation and put American lives at risk.
Some VA employees’ overtime pay will be delayed by software problems
Software handling timecards for VA employees has been malfunctioning for nearly a week, prompting concerns about paycheck delays.
Military moves are improving some under new contract, general claims
After months' of problems, officials are seeing fewer claims tied to delays in shipments.
Lawmaker aims to protect troops from squatters
Homeowners, including some service members, have faced extensive, expensive legal processes to get trespassers removed.
White House, DOD deny that Hegseth leaked military secrets in chat app
Administration officials acknowledged that top leaders used a non-government group chat to coordinate ahead of military airstrikes in Yemen.
Senate confirms Phelan as next Navy Secretary
The Navy's new top civilian leader has said the service is in desperate need of reform and innovation.
Top Trump officials accidentally shared war plans with media
Hegseth reportedly assured chat participants that “we are currently clean on OPSEC” despite the accidental inclusion of a journalist.
With FY2025 spending settled, lawmakers shift focus to FY2026 budget
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 24, 2025.
