Afghanistan War Commission hears from vets as it tackles troop surge
The commission will hold a multipanel hearing on what for many is a defining point of the war: President Barack Obama’s troop surge in late 2009.
Pentagon & Congress
Congressional defense plans slowed by unsettled reconciliation debate
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 23, 2025.
After more than 80 years, this Marine returned home from Guadalcanal
A 1942 aerial map that had previously gone unnoticed and unused in a Hawaiian museum archive held the key to locating Rowe and his fellow Devil Dogs.
The history of presidents activating US troops on American soil
U.S. presidents have rarely federalized the National Guard to intervene in protests on U.S. soil.
White House taps nominees for VA’s top benefits, technology roles
Karen Brazell currently works as a senior VA advisor and would serve as the department's next Under Secretary for Benefits.
Hegseth says Army base renamings will move ahead, despite concerns
Military officials expect to formally order the return to Confederate base names soon, but with different honorees.
Supreme Court ruling gives extra payouts to some combat-wounded vets
The high court ruled that limits on the government's combat-related special compensation program unfairly took away support for injured vets.
LA unrest cancels more than 600 appointments at city’s VA clinic
The Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center has been clsoed since Monday because of ongoing security concerns related to immigration protests.
New bill would expand exception to Medal of Honor 5-year limitation
The Valor Has No Expiration Act would remove arbitrary timelines and expand the criteria to include classified acts or those withheld from the public.
Hegseth won’t rule out military actions against Greenland, Panama
The defense secretary dodged questions from lawmakers about possible Defense Department plans against the allied territories.
Former VA Secretary McDonough to host town hall countering DC parade
The Friday night discussion on veterans issues is part of a series of events from Democrats scheduled around the controversial Army parade in Washington.
How a WWII submariner took the fight directly to the Japanese
Cmdr. Lawson P. “Red” Ramage led his submarine, Parche, to hell and back.
House panel pushes ahead $453 billion funding plan for VA next year
The appropriations plan would add more than $80 billion to the current VA funding level, giving the department its biggest budget ever.
Panel advances defense budget despite missing details from White House
The $832 billion defense spending plan provides no increase from current fiscal year funding levels.
Bipartisan House proposal aims to speed up defense acquisition work
The proposal could be the template for significant reform plans this year in how the military plans and buys new weapons systems.
Transgender vet sues VA over decision to halt hormone therapy meds
VA officials in March announced plans to end all transgender-related health care programs, a move advocates say will hurt veterans.
Hegseth returns to Capitol Hill to defend Trump’s defense budget plan
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 8, 2025.
