Pentagon and Congress | Air Force Times

Here are the 425 military leaders finally confirmed by the Senate

More than 400 senior officers received promotions after waiting months for Senate action.

19 minutes ago

Tuberville drops holds on more than 430 military promotions

The move is a signifcant breakthrough in the 10-month standoff between the GOP lawmaker and Pentagon leaders over abortion.

7 hours ago

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Washington.

Pentagon & Congress

US, allies in talks on naval task force to protect shipping in Red Sea

After three vessels were struck by missiles, the White House said the U.S. may establish a naval task force to escort commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Total number of VA claims lost in online systems tops 120,000

The number of veterans discovered to be affected by the mistakes has grown in recent months.

28 hours ago

Defense authorization deal expected this week

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Dec. 4, 2023.

2 days ago

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin makes remarks at a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at the Pentagon in Washington.

Defense Secretary Austin calls out those who advocate isolationism

In remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said United States must reject calls to turn away from global interests.

2 days ago

Lawmakers urge Air Force to shift fighters to guard, reserve squadrons

They worry that if A-10s at Guard bases in Maryland and Michigan retire without a replacement, those squadrons could lose their fighter missions.

5 days ago

Lawmakers press VA for stronger rules against discrimination

Congressional Democrats and outside advocates say updated policies for the department are long overdue.

5 days ago

VA workers face more mandatory overtime amid record claims processing

The backlog of overdue disability claims is expected to keep rising over the next year.

6 days ago

VA again found homes for 38K struggling vets in 2023

Department outreach efforts have helped nearly 80,000 veterans since the start of 2022.

7 days ago

VA delays disputed change in how it pays for veterans’ ambulance trips

New rules were set to go into effect next February but will now be delayed until 2025.

8 days ago

Concern about military toxic exposure injuries remains high among vets

Roughly four in 10 veterans think they may have been exposed to harmful chemicals or toxic conditions during their time in the service.

13 days ago

Transgender vets threaten to sue VA over delay in surgery options

VA officials announced plans to provide gender conforming surgeries more than two years ago, but have not moved ahead on the promise.

2 weeks ago

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.

Defense Secretary Austin meets with Zelenskyy in Ukraine

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to make a high-profile push to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine.

2 weeks ago

Federal aid to veteran-owned small businesses grew in FY23

The number of veterans receiving aid to start their own companies has risen significantly over the last three years.

2 weeks ago

VA pauses foreclosures on home loans amid concerns of financial strain

The department is also extending financial help programs to give more support to veterans having trouble making loan payments.

2 weeks ago

This image from video provided by the Department of Defense shows a Nov. 8, 2023, airstrike on a weapons warehouse. center, in eastern Syria.

How the US strikes a balance in responding to attacks on its forces

According to the Pentagon, Iranian-backed militants have launched 61 attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17

2 weeks ago

Veteran suicides rose in 2021 despite increased prevention efforts

More than 70,000 veterans died by suicide from 2011 to 2001.

3 weeks ago

VA pledges investigation into crisis line after whistleblower concerns

The Government Accountability Office is also expected to launch an investigation into the suicide prevention hotline.

3 weeks ago

Pentagon & Congress

The latest military news from the Pentagon and Congress.

More than 400 senior officers received promotions after waiting months for Senate action.

The move is a signifcant breakthrough in the 10-month standoff between the GOP lawmaker and Pentagon leaders over abortion.

After three vessels were struck by missiles, the White House said the U.S. may establish a naval task force to escort commercial ships in the Red Sea.

The number of veterans discovered to be affected by the mistakes has grown in recent months.

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Dec. 4, 2023.

In remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said United States must reject calls to turn away from global interests.

They worry that if A-10s at Guard bases in Maryland and Michigan retire without a replacement, those squadrons could lose their fighter missions.

Congressional Democrats and outside advocates say updated policies for the department are long overdue.

The backlog of overdue disability claims is expected to keep rising over the next year.

Department outreach efforts have helped nearly 80,000 veterans since the start of 2022.

New rules were set to go into effect next February but will now be delayed until 2025.

Roughly four in 10 veterans think they may have been exposed to harmful chemicals or toxic conditions during their time in the service.

VA officials announced plans to provide gender conforming surgeries more than two years ago, but have not moved ahead on the promise.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to make a high-profile push to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine.

The number of veterans receiving aid to start their own companies has risen significantly over the last three years.

The department is also extending financial help programs to give more support to veterans having trouble making loan payments.

According to the Pentagon, Iranian-backed militants have launched 61 attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17

More than 70,000 veterans died by suicide from 2011 to 2001.

The Government Accountability Office is also expected to launch an investigation into the suicide prevention hotline.