News
Lawmaker aims to protect troops from squatters
Service members shouldn’t have to deal with squatters who illegally take over their homes during their absence, said a lawmaker who has proposed legislation to make it easier for troops to remove the intruders. The measure would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to protect troops from state laws that give rights to squatters who take over their homes. “I can’t think of many things worse th...[Read More]
Lawmaker aims to protect troops from squatters
Service members shouldn’t have to deal with squatters who illegally take over their homes during their absence, said a lawmaker who has proposed legislation to make it easier for troops to remove the intruders. The measure would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to protect troops from state laws that give rights to squatters who take over their homes. “I can’t think of many things worse th...[Read More]
Lawmaker proposes Iranian Campaign Medal for strikes on nuclear sites
A Texas lawmaker wants Congress to establish a new military campaign service medal for the servicemembers involved in the attacks on the Iranian nuclear facilities last week, part of an effort to highlight their skill and sacrifice. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas — whose district includes a pair of Air Force bases where service pilots are trained — plans to introduce legislation creating the Iranian ...[Read More]
Lawmaker proposes Iranian Campaign Medal for strikes on nuclear sites
A Texas lawmaker wants Congress to establish a new military campaign service medal for the servicemembers involved in the attacks on the Iranian nuclear facilities last week, part of an effort to highlight their skill and sacrifice. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas — whose district includes a pair of Air Force bases where service pilots are trained — plans to introduce legislation creating the Iranian ...[Read More]
Lawmaker warns government ‘savings’ could cost vets critical services
The House’s top Democrat for veterans policy supports finding ways to save money at the Department of Veterans Affairs. But he worries the White House’s current approach to that goal will end up costing veterans access to care and benefits as it looks for savings. “[This administration] wants to hold up some sort of pelt and say, ‘Look, we cut this many jobs, we’re saving you all this money,’” Hou...[Read More]
Lawmaker: Tricare West problems ‘actively harming military readiness’
A Washington state congresswoman is urging Defense Health Agency officials to quickly find solutions to problems plaguing the TriWest Healthcare Alliance contract transition, citing “significant feedback” from dozens of her military constituents in the Tricare West Region. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Wash., said beneficiaries are experiencing “unending delays in reaching TriWest customer service, i...[Read More]
Lawmakers accuse VA leaders of exaggerating budget shortfall
House Republican leaders on Friday criticized Veterans Affairs leaders for exaggerating budget shortfall issues earlier this summer after department officials said their future funding concerns are not as serious as they predicted. In a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., and the House Appropriations Committee’s veterans panel Chairman John C...[Read More]
Lawmakers advance plans to boost veteran caregiver support
House lawmakers on Monday advanced plans to overhaul veterans’ medical options outside the department’s health care system, including expanded in-home care for aging veterans and providing mental health care for their caregivers. The overwhelming bipartisan vote — 389-9 — comes after months of behind-the-scenes wrangling surrounding the legislation, expected to cost as much as $2 billion over the ...[Read More]
Lawmakers again push to ease firing rules for misbehaving VA staff
House and Senate Republican leaders introduced legislation this week designed to make it easier to discipline and fire Veterans Affairs employees, reviving a priority of President Donald Trump’s first term in office just before his second term begins. The Restore VA Accountability Act is sponsored by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, and House Veterans’ Affairs Com...[Read More]
Lawmakers announce legislation to restore office for Afghan relocation
Lawmakers introduced new legislation Tuesday that would reinstate a previously dissolved U.S. government office that led relocation efforts for Afghan allies and refugees. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif. — along with several other lawmakers — announced the Enduring Welcome Act, which would legally codify the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, or CARE. The Trump administra...[Read More]
Lawmakers back White House FY26 plans for more troops, 3.8% pay hike
After months of positive news about military recruiting efforts, lawmakers are poised to back White House plans to boost the Defense Department’s end strength by about 26,000 troops next year. The extra service members are included in both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees’ drafts of the annual defense authorization bill, which contains a series of policy and budgetary priorities for ...[Read More]
Lawmakers call for in-depth VA study on blast pressure injuries
A pair of Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee members are pushing federal researchers to investigate the impact of repetitive low-level blast injuries on veterans’ mental health. On Monday, Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, and Angus King, I-Maine, introduced the Precision Brain Health Research Act, which mandates a 10-year study on the blast injuries. The two lawmakers hope the findings will lead to ad...[Read More]