Lawmakers are sparring over proposed changes to a fund covering the costs of veterans' toxic exposure benefits. A Massachusetts man wants the government to pay $9.5 million after being badly injured in a crash with a Black Hawk helicopter. The Major Richard Star Act has wide support among lawmakers but has been stalled in Congress for nearly a year. A now-18-year-old woman argued the Marine Corps was negligent in letting Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Champagne interact with teenage recruits. The move follows several years of expanded benefits for veterans who suffered toxic exposure injuries while in the military. Nearly 250 former U.S. interpreters and allies in Afghanistan have been reported killed by the Taliban in retribution for their service. The long-sought assistance for Afghan refugees still faces a difficult fight in Congress. Officials will speed up portions of the PACT Act to allow enrollment of thousands of veterans into VA health care next month. Military personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1975–1985 had at least a 20% higher risk for a number of cancers than those stationed elsewhere. Families could see lower costs for mental health care as well as expanded counseling services. Load More