VA leaders to halt mortgage rescue program launched last year
The Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program aimed to help financially strapped veterans get lower interest rates and avoid eviction from their homes.
Pentagon & Congress
Watchdog to investigate Hegseth’s sharing of airstrike info on Signal
The Defense Inspector General's Office will look into whether the defense secretary improperly shared sensitive information on the commercial app.
Plan would make military enlistment, retention bonuses tax exempt
A bill introduced in the House this week proposes to end federal taxes on bonuses given to troops for joining or re-enlisting in the military.
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.
Hegseth orders review of physical standards for military combat roles
Women already must pass gender-neutral physical fitness requirements for combat posts, but Hegseth contends the standards for women are lower.
Confirmation hearing set on Trump’s pick for Joint Chiefs chairman
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 31, 2025.
Lawmaker warns government ‘savings’ could cost vets critical services
Democrats must highlight the dangers of planned VA cuts to both veterans and the public, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano said.
Military stores prepare for tariffs, aiming to keep costs down
Military store officials expect tariffs to affect exchanges, including the availability and cost of certain items.
Senate confirms former VA benefits chief as new deputy secretary
Army veteran Paul Lawrence will serve as the second-ranking leader at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Senators request inquiry into military secrets shared on Signal app
Republican and Democratic leaders on the Senate Armed Services Committee are requesting a formal investigation into the Signal chat scandal.
Senator pushes for new rules letting academy athletes play pro sports
A proposed policy allowing academy athletes to defer their military service to play pro sports could be included in the annual defense authorization bill.
‘Obviously classified’: Experts say Hegseth chat leaks invited danger
Former U.S. defense officials said the unsecured messaging chain could have jeopardized the operation and put American lives at risk.
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.
Military moves are improving some under new contract, general claims
After months' of problems, officials are seeing fewer claims tied to delays in shipments.
Lawmaker aims to protect troops from squatters
Homeowners, including some service members, have faced extensive, expensive legal processes to get trespassers removed.
White House, DOD deny that Hegseth leaked military secrets in chat app
Administration officials acknowledged that top leaders used a non-government group chat to coordinate ahead of military airstrikes in Yemen.
