Breaking down Trump’s executive order mandating multiple VA reforms
The president signed an executive order Friday calling for several sweeping changes in VA operations and construction goals.
Congress
White House budget plan gives 4% boost for VA amid other agency cuts
VA would be one of only a few federal departments to see a funding increase under the president's $1.7 trillion budget plan.
Nurses rally outside VA hospitals to highlight staff cuts, vacancies
VA nurses across the U.S. are protesting Trump administration moves that they say endanger the health of veterans and federal workers.
VA plans to cut hundreds of payroll jobs at regional medical sites
The decision to cut about 300 medical center payroll jobs and move about 300 more are part of broader efforts to reduce the size of the VA workforce.
Lenders voice concerns over decision to end VA home loan rescue effort
VA officials previously announced plans to end the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program May 1.
Watchdog blasts VA leaders for exaggerating budget shortfall last year
Investigators said that VA officials had enough budget flexibility all of last year despite repeated warnings of a possible funding shortfall.
Uncertainty is the only constant in the Pentagon’s budget outlook
“It’s going to be kind of a disaster,” one military official said about the lack of a full budget, which means more limits on how the Pentagon spends.
DOD civilian employees given $1 spending limit for travel cards
The Pentagon is freezing travel and government credit cards for civilian employees to comply with DOGE's cost-savings initiatives.
Stopgap budget bill includes extra funds for military, VA programs
The six-month budget bill must be approved by lawmakers before Friday night to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Congress readies troop pay protections as federal shutdown looms again
If lawmakers do not pass a new budget bill by March 14, funding for most federal programs and serives will run out.
More than 300k VA health jobs exempted from White House hiring freeze
About two-thirds of Veterans Affairs jobs will be excluded from a White House order blocking new hiring.
Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans
Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.
As Congress returns to DC, so does the threat of a federal shutdown
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Sept. 9, 2024.
Key senators agree on spending levels for FY25
House Republicans are pursuing a more austere course, allowing for a 1% increase for defense, but significant cuts for nondefense.
Opinion
Should the Pentagon have used Commerce Department funds for semiconductors?
The U.S. Defense Department has successfully, albeit surreptitiously, swiped $3.5 billion from the Commerce Department’s CHIPS Act funding.
Next-gen homeland defense interceptor plans are risky, watchdog says
In a report, the Government Accountability Office said there are technical, schedule and cost risks associated with the MDA's next-gen interceptor.
Opinion
Election compounds federal agency uncertainty ahead of new fiscal year
With uncertainties around funding, federal agencies must know how to make strategic IT investments.
