GOP lawmakers target diversity training, COVID rules in defense bill
The annual defense authorization bill debate in the House focused mainly on hot-button social issues.
Coronavirus | COVID-19 Updates
Veterans Affairs drops mask requirement for all agency medical offices
Masks will still be mandated for some high-risk areas or facilities with rising virus numbers.
With COVID mission over, Pentagon plans for next pandemic
U.S. military medical teams deployed during the coronavirus pandemic brought back lessons as the Defense Department looks to see what worked and what didn't.
Many VA workers remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, but few have been fired
Department officials say only a handful of employees have been dismissed for refusing the vaccine mandate.
Army approves first religious exemption for COVID vaccine
The vast majority of accommodation requests have been denied or are still awaiting decision.
Two years of COVID for VA: 609,000 cases, 21,000 deaths
Department officials expect to be monitoring virus cases indefinitely, but are hopeful it will eventually become more of a nuisance than public health threat.
No GI Bill COVID emergency protection past this summer, VA says
As college campuses return to normal operations, department officials are planning to let GI Bill protections expire in June.
Judge allows 2 military officers refusing COVID jab to continue serving for now
The Navy and the Marine Corps “have failed manifestly” to meet the requirements of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, said Judge Steven Merryday
National Guard deploys for new emergency: Teacher shortages
Dozens of National Guard Army and Air Force troops in New Mexico have been stepping in to help alleviate the teacher shortage.
VA tops 20,000 COVID deaths in less than two years
Almost 2,400 new VA deaths have been reported since Jan. 1.
Judge extends temporary ban on punishment for officers refusing COVID vaccine
A Navy commander and Marine lieutenant colonel testified Thursday about the reasons for resisting a military vaccine mandate.
