The top National Guard Bureau officers have left or will soon retire, and to date no nominations for their replacements have been confirmed by the Senate.
Halinichev was killed at the front in March 2023, one of more than 400 athletes killed since the outbreak of the war. His body has yet to be recovered.
Twenty senators signed a letter to Secretary McDonough, urging him to adjust a policy initiative they said is making it hard for veterans to access care.