VA awards $1.5 million to study using psychedelics for PTSD treatment
The move is the first time Veterans Affairs leaders have funded a study into psychedelic benefits since the 1960s.
Pentagon & Congress
Last soldier to leave Afghanistan confirmed as new Army Europe leader
Army Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue's promotion had been delayed for several weeks for unspecified reasons.
Congress will open next session with more veterans than two years ago
Advocates say the surprise increase in lawmakers with military backgrounds is a positve sign for the veteran community.
Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military relied on old data
As a result, the report grossly undercounted the number of military and veterans arrested for the Jan. 6 attack, The Associated found in an investigation.
Trump taps businessman John Phelan to be Navy secretary
Phelan is the first service secretary pick announced by the president-elect for his second term in the White House.
Vets can opt for ‘green’ burials at VA cemeteries through new pilot
Three cemeteries will begin offering environmentally friendly burial options immediately.
VA wants $6.6B in extra funding for FY25, down from $12B request
Officials revised their initial ask downward after criticism from lawmakers over previous inaccurate estimates.
Senate stalls general’s promotion as Trump mulls Afghan exit probe
Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue’s promotion stalled Thursday when his name was left off a list of nearly 1,000 military promotions.
As the VA secretary departs, focus remains on outreach, trust
VA care and benefits have seen signifcant growth in recent years, a trend that the outgoing secretary hopes will continue.
VA acknowledges significant errors in budget shortfall predictions
Department leaders had warned of funding gaps of up to $18 billion but now believe those estimates were too high.
Women in combat ‘proficient,’ SecDef says, dismissing calls for change
Austin praised women in the military and said they should not be removed from front-line fighting posts.
US to send Ukraine $275M in new weapons to bolster Kyiv before Trump
The latest tranche of weapons comes as worries grow about an escalation in the conflict.
Lawmakers advance plans to boost veteran caregiver support
Bipartisan legislation passed by the House would improve at-home care options for ailing vets and mandate protections for community care programs.
Should women serve in combat? Trump’s defense pick reignites debate
Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth has made it clear that he believes men and women shouldn't serve together in combat units.
Trump picks former congressman Doug Collins as next VA secretary
Collins served as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve and deployed to Iraq in 2008.
Military suicides rose in 2023, continuing a troubling trend
Officials said that the suicide rate among troops has increased steadily over the last decade.
Could Trump drop the VA and DOD abortion access policies right away?
Advocates say undoing the military's abortion policy may be easier than ending VA rules.
