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US to send Ukraine advanced NASAMS air defense weapons in $820 million package
The new aid also included ammunition drawn from U.S. stockpiles for American-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
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Pentagon & Congress
Navy veteran McCain, groundbreaking Air Force general among Medal of Freedom recipients
The notable military figures were included among 17 individuals being granted the nation's highest civilian honor.
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European demand for weapons grows as Russia fallout deepens
The changed security environment in Europe will yield increased demand from European allies for integrated missile defenses, early warning systems, air-to-air missiles and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, a senior U.S. defense official said Thursday.
Should WWII’s last Medal of Honor recipient get a state funeral?
Hershel “Woody” Williams, awarded the nation's highest combat honor in 1945, passed away Wednesday.
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No plans to increase abortion services at VA after Supreme Court ruling
The VA currently does not offer the procedure or counseling to patients seeking to get an abortion.
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Abortions are rarely performed by military clinics, data shows
Military hospitals performed fewer than 100 abortions between 2016 and 2021.
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DoD looks to protect troops, civilian employees from prosecution over new abortion laws
The Justice Department generally shields federal employees whose work might violate state laws.
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Advocates call on veterans to serve as poll workers for upcoming elections
Officials estimate they may have 100,000 fewer poll workers than they need to conduct upcoming state and local elections.
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Four soldiers to receive Medals of Honor for actions in Vietnam
The men will be recognized in a White House ceremony on July 5.
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Senators vow to block VA’s hospital closure commission
Senators said the AIR Commission process has been flawed and unnecessary, despite nearly five years of effort.
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Overdue veterans disability claims down almost a quarter in last four months
The backlog total was above 264,000 cases last fall.
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Marine Corps, Army report disproportionate substance abuse, mental health issues
The Air Force and Coast Guard reported the lowest prevalences.
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Major veterans toxic exposure legislation delayed again, but lawmakers insist it’s not defeat
Officials are optimistic the sweeping veterans bill will be finalized by Congress sometime next month.
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Largest budget in VA history gets backing from House appropriators
Lawmakers also plan to reclassify some VA spending to make it easier to balance future budgets.
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US to send Ukraine rocket systems, other aid in new package
The aid is part of the $40 billion in security and economic assistance passed last month by Congress.
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Setbacks with new health records system have ‘shaken’ VA secretary
The $16 billion project has faced numerous setbacks in recent years.
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More money to buy weaponry and fight inflation in House defense bill
Despite hours of sometimes intense debate, the measure advanced out of committee on a bipartisan 57-1 vote.
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Troops would get $90 monthly bonuses to counter inflation in House plan
A separate plan to pay all troops at least $15 an hour failed to gain enough support among lawmakers.
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Bids to weaken military COVID vaccine mandate stall in Congress
Democrats rejected proposals to reinstate troops already kicked out and dismiss the Defense Secretary for requiring the shots.
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No consensus yet on military spending for next year, except for more of it
House lawmakers on Wednesday offered new and conflicting plans for defense spending next year, setting up intense congressional debate in coming months over what the right level of military funding for fiscal 2023 should be.
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Pentagon committee on women in the military is back in business
The first meeting of the reconstituted Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services is scheduled for Thursday.
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New legislation aims to give drone crews tax-free combat pay
Pilots and sensor operators in any branch of the armed forces, who work on any RPA fleet used in designated areas of conflict, would be eligible for tax-free income.
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Plan to overhaul Army fitness test gets support from House lawmakers
Language accompanying the Senate authorization bill draft goes beyond the Army fitness test to include further examination by all of the services.
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Norcross to bring back tougher ‘Buy American’ legislation that rankled allies
A group of U.S. allies is again urging key House lawmakers to oppose any proposals to tighten federal “Buy American” requirements through the annual defense authorization bill.
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Army vet killed fighting in Ukraine: report
At least one other American citizen has died fighting for Ukraine this year.
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Bigger military housing stipends, lower commissary costs pushed to fight inflation
The moves are designed to help offset inflation costs hitting military families' finances.
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