Pentagon & Congress

The latest military news from the Pentagon and Congress.

Military quality of life a key focus of Congress in 2024

A special House panel has been examining the issue for the last year.

8 hours ago

Ukrainian servicemen carry national flags and photos of their comrade Vasyl Boichuk who was killed in Mykolayiv in March 2022, during his funeral ceremony at the cemetery in Iltsi village, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.

US announces new weapons package for Ukraine

It could be the final package of military aid to Ukraine unless Congress approves supplemental funding legislation that is stalled on Capitol Hill.

2 days ago

The Capitol in Washington, D.C., is seen Nov. 4, 2022.

Pentagon & Congress

New year brings same government shutdown threats

Congress enters 2024 without a clear plan for federal spending, just a few weeks before another budget deadline.

A Marine Osprey lands aboard the USS Somerset, Feb. 27, 2014, in Philadelphia.

Congress launches an investigation into the Osprey program

A congressional oversight committee has launched an investigation into the V-22 Osprey program following a deadly crash in Japan on Nov. 29.

3 days ago

A cashier at a Travelex Bureau de Change counts U.S. dollars in February 2004.

Junior enlisted pay to be key congressional focus in 2024

House Republicans are already looking at ways to put more money into the wallets of lower-ranking service members.

7 days ago

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, participates in a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at the Pentagon in Washington.

Top US military officer speaks with Chinese counterpart

The video call between Gen. CQ Brown and Gen. Liu Zhenli is the first senior military communications between the U.S. and China since August 2022.

8 days ago

DOD to study whether COVID-19 vaccine helped or hurt troops

A provision in the annual defense bill continues the controversy surrounding the vaccine.

8 days ago

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh arrives to testify during a Senate intelligence hearing on his nomination to be leader of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command on July 12, 2023.

Senate OKs 11 four-star nominees, ending ongoing nomination fight

The senior officials were the last remaining individuals involved in the protest by a Republican senator over the Pentagon's abortion access policy.

10 days ago

US unveils international force to defend Red Sea. Here’s what we know.

Several nations have announced their contributions to Operation Prosperity Guardian, a new multinational security initiative in the Middle East.

10 days ago

Military spouses continue to struggle when it comes to employment.

Military families will see a boost in separation pay in 2024

Troops forced to serve apart from their dependents will now get up to $400 a month in extra financial help.

10 days ago

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin makes a joint statement with Israel Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, after their meeting about Israel's military operation in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

Pentagon announces international mission to counter attacks in Red Sea

The U.S. and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect ships transiting the Red Sea.

11 days ago

Humanitarian aid trucks enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel into the Gaza Strip on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

US envoys work for scale-down of Israel-Hamas war

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed with Israeli leaders ways to scale back major combat operations in Gaza.

11 days ago

Disability payouts help some vets earn more than healthy peers

Veterans with low disability ratings see higher income than non-disabled peers, but individuals with significant health issues lag far behind.

11 days ago

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 31, 2023.

US military leaders press Israel to shift from major combat

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown will join Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for meetings in Israel.

12 days ago

Homelessness among veterans jumps more than 7%

The rise comes after years of progress in reducing the number of veterans facing stable housing issues.

2 weeks ago

Most Americans respect vets but would not recommend enlisting

The new survey from RAND suggests that positive views of veterans are enough to boost military recruitment.

2 weeks ago

Black women’s group defends affirmative action at military academies

Lawsuits filed against West Point and the Naval Academy seek to end the use of race as a factor in admissions there.

2 weeks ago

Troops set for largest pay boost in 22 years under defense plan

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the annual defense authorization bill into law later this month.

2 weeks ago

Amid recruiting woes, active duty end strength to drop again in 2024

The military is already at its lowest active-duty personnel level since 1940 and will dip even lower next year under plans to be approved by Congress.

2 weeks ago