House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026
Republicans approved plans for an 18% boost in total Veterans Affairs spending next year, but the measure is far from becoming law.
Congress
Lawmakers press VA for details on DOGE access to vets records
Democrats want promises from department leaders that sensitive medical and financial information is being handled securely.
VA secretary to testify on department budget needs, workforce cuts
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of April 7, 2025.
‘There’s a war on vets’: Dems launch plans to counter Trump’s VA moves
Democratic lawmakers vow to block bills, slow nominations and hold their own hearings to protest planned cuts to veterans programs.
Senator vows to hold all VA nominees over planned staff cuts
Plans to cut more than 80,000 staffers from VA offices would severely hurt benefits delivery, said Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps vet.
VA unveils next 13 sites for electronic health record rollout
VA planners want to speed the rollout of their controversial electronic health records overhaul project with more than a dozen new sites in 2026.
Some VA employees’ overtime pay will be delayed by software problems
Software handling timecards for VA employees has been malfunctioning for nearly a week, prompting concerns about paycheck delays.
Senate Democrats plan ‘shadow hearings’ on controversial VA cuts
The move comes as VA Secretary Doug Collins has accused Democrats of creating panic over planned department reforms.
Almost 21,000 DOD employees approved to resign amid workforce cuts
The number is less than half of the 5-8% cut in civilian employees the Pentagon is pursuing.
Shipyards, military clinics exempted from Pentagon hiring freeze
Advocates praised defense leaders for excluding shipyard workers and other key readiness jobs from a department-wide hiring freeze.
VA leaders announce end to all transgender-related care for vets
Department leaders promised to continue to provide necessary care to transgender veterans even after the rule changes.
