GOP lawmakers seek review of VFW’s claims authority amid veterans cartoon controversy
The inquiry follows the VFW's use of a "firing squad" cartoon to support preserving veterans benefits.
Watchdogs
VA inventory report reveals 367 AI systems operating in healthcare, benefits and services
A recently released report catalogs AI uses across the VA, from clinical tools used during patient care to systems that help process benefits.
Senate eyes Hegseth travel cuts without probes into Iran school bombing, boat strikes
Senate lawmakers added a provision in the NDAA that would restrict Hegseth's travel expenses until the department releases certain operational information.
VA hospitals earn top marks in federal review
Roughly 78% of VA medical centers earned four or five star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this year.
Trump’s VA budget request tops $488 billion for fiscal 2027
The Department of Veterans Affairs would see its budget increase by 7.7% in fiscal 2027 under the White House’s proposed $2.2 trillion budget.
Former VA executive charged with accepting $16K worth of gifts
The senior VA official has been charged with failing to disclose gifts he received from contractors working on the project he oversaw.
Pentagon once again urges civilian employees to volunteer with DHS
The Defense Department continues to ask its civilian employees to volunteer for logistics support and more with ICE and CBP.
House Republicans seek new strategy for passing VA policy bills
Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., wants to develop a “must-pass” authorization bill process for the VA similar to the legislative procedure used to approve the NDAA.
War powers debate intensifies after Trump orders attack on Iran without approval by Congress
Many Democrats are calling the operation illegal, saying the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war.
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology in dispute over AI safety
Hegseth also said he was designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a move that could prevent U.S. military vendors from working with the company.
VA to consider medical management of symptoms in determining disability ratings
If a medication or treatment lowers a veteran's disability level, the rating will be based on the lower level, according to a new VA regulation.
Unemployment rates for veterans worsen amid civilian job market gains
While overall hiring increased by 130,000 jobs in January, post-9/11 veterans saw their jobless rates balloon to 5.8%.
Judge dismisses deportation case for Mexican father of 3 US Marines
The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that it would appeal the judge’s decision.
‘I felt like a factory worker.’ Why VA psychologists are burning out
The number of veterans seeking mental health treatment continues to rise, but the number of psychologists dropped last year for the first time in a decade.
ICE, Border Patrol chiefs refuse to comment on VA nurse’s killing
Acting ICE director Todd Lyons and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott were questioned Tuesday about the recent killing of VA nurse Alex Pretti.
Trump signs bill to end partial government shutdown
President Donald Trump signed a roughly $1.2 trillion government funding bill Tuesday that ends the partial federal shutdown that began over the weekend.
Trump urges House to vote quickly to end partial government shutdown
Voting could begin as soon as Tuesday, which would be day four of the partial shutdown. The Pentagon, among other agencies, saw its funding lapse Saturday.
