Policy

House to Vote on 1.8 Percent Military Pay Hike This Week

The House begins taking up the National Defense Authorization Act on Tuesday, including a measure to increase troop pay by nearly twice the president’s request. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

Congress Considers Hundreds of NDAA Amendments This Week

The National Defense Authorization Act begins moving through the Senate this week, while the House sorts through its own NDAA amendments. By Billy House

Policy

VA Scandal Could Be Worse for Democrats Than Benghazi

Anger over VA wait lists could revive accusations that Obama does not demand accountability in his government. By George E. Condon, Jr.

Threats

Lawmakers Fear Nigerian Forces Are Unwilling to Pursue Boko Haram

A 1997 U.S. law is preventing the Pentagon from taking a more active role in the hunt for Boko Haram. By Sarah Mimms

Policy

Shinseki Won’t Resign, Vows To Stop VA’s ‘Secret Wait Lists’

Embattled VA Secretary Eric Shinseki squared off with senators and reporters Thursday. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

What To Expect at the Senate Hearing on VA Wait Lists

Tough questions and allegations of poor management await VA Secretary Eric Shinseki in the wake of his department’s waiting list scandal. By Charles S. Clark

Policy

Why Hasn't the GOP Treated Fort Hood Like Benghazi?

Both attacks suggest multiple institutional failures, but only a handful of congressmen have pushed for more insight into the Fort Hood shooting. By James Oliphant

Policy

Congress Punts on Military Compensation Reform

A House committee missed a chance last week to make needed changes to military benefits. By Jesse Sloman

Policy

Congress Wants Obamacare Exemption To Help Boost Veteran Employment

The Senate could hold a procedural vote this week on a House bill to change the employer mandate. By Sophie Novack

Policy

House Panel Approves Extra $60 Million for Antimissile Defense

Despite failures with its West Coast system, lawmakers offer Pentagon more money to build an extra missile interceptor. By Rachel Oswald

Business

HASC Approves 1.8 Percent Pay Raise for Troops

The raise is higher than the 1 percent hike President Obama is asking for. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

House Committee Votes to Keep A-10 Funding Through 2015

Despite pleas from Air Force officials, lawmakers are refusing to let the A-10 become a casualty of sequestration. By Ben Watson

Policy

Will Democrats Join the Benghazi Committee?

House Democrats are trying to decide if they'll participate in the soon-to-be-formed Benghazi committee. By Elahe Izadi

Policy

How Congress Plans to Prevent Military Suicides

Lawmakers want to use the annual defense spending bill to increase mental health screenings in the military. By Jordain Carney

Business

Bill Supports 1.8 Percent Pay Raise for Troops

The House Armed Services Committee wants to nearly double President Obama’s proposed pay hike for service members. By Kellie Lunney

Policy

GOP: Speed Up Missile Interceptors to Poland

Senate Republicans are pushing for a stronger message of deterrence to Russia, bumping up delivery deadline by two years. By Rachel Oswald

Policy

Smith Tries for BRAC, McKeon Shoots Him Down

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee says his proposal would avoid the costly mistakes of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure. By Ben Watson

Policy

House Panels Race Against Each Other to Reform NSA Spying

Competing bills in the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees later this week shine light on a jurisdictional feud that could get ugly in the coming days. By Dustin Volz

Policy

It’s Too Soon to Cut Funding for A-10s, Lawmakers Say

The A-10’s capabilities are too great to pass off to jets and too cheap for the Pentagon to turn its back on the fleet just yet, according to eight senators. By Ben Watson

Ideas

Congress’s Chance to Fix Aircraft Carrier Drones

The Navy could have the drone the U.S. needs to protect carriers, if Congress steps up this week. By Shawn Brimley