Policy
Iraq Vets in Congress Helplessly Watch Their Gains Lost
'What was the point of all that?' Rep. Scott Perry asks as Mosul and Tikrit fall to extremists in Iraq. By Clara Ritger
Policy
Hagel Fires Back at Bergdahl Criticism in Congress
At a hearing Wednesday, Defense Secretary Hagel lectured House Armed Services Committee members about war, saying the Bergdahl deal was the right call. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
There’s Little Congress Can Do About the Bergdahl Deal
As Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel heads to the Hill to defend the release of Sgt. Bergdahl, members of Congress realize there’s not much they can do about it now. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
House Bans Bonuses for All VA Employees Through 2016
The House voted Tuesday to stop VA bonuses for the next 3 years. However, a similar bill up for a vote in the Senate doesn't address bonuses. By Eric Katz
Policy
House Targets Firing VA Officials With Second Bill
The House passed a bill that cleared committee last August that makes it easier to fire senior department executives. By Eric Katz
Policy
Congress Says Pentagon's Long-Range Bombers Are 'Increasingly Irrelevant'
Congress sounds the alarm on America's aging bomber fleet: fix them up or put them to pasture. By Rachel Oswald
Policy
Who Should Replace Shinseki?
A handy guide to the potential candidates to be the next VA secretary. By Molly O’Toole
Science & Tech
Snowden’s Legislative Legacy: A Bill That No One Likes
Measure to protect security and privacy arguably does neither. By Patrick Tucker
Policy
Senate Announces Bipartisan Deal to Fix the VA
The wide-ranging bill clears a path for removing senior officials and grants more money to hire doctors and nurses at backlogged facilities across the nation. By Sarah Mimms
Policy
Congress Wants Answers on Bergdahl
After a closed-door briefing on the Hill, members of Congress have even more questions about the deal to exchange the American POW for five Taliban prisoners. By Molly O’Toole
Policy
Dempsey: Bergdahl Is 'Innocent Until Proven Guilty'
With some howling for Bergdahl’s head, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dempsey issues a statement to calm the mob. By Kevin Baron
Policy
Behind Eric Shinseki's Downfall
The VA secretary was undone by an overwhelmed health system and Washington's hyper-partisan health care politics. By James Kitfield
Policy
VA Official Says There Are No Secret Wait Lists
During a testy 4-hour hearing on the Hill Wednesday night, a top Veterans Affairs official said the waiting lists were produced automatically by their data system. By Sarah Mimms
Defense Systems
Senate committee contemplates new cyber career paths for DOD
Bonuses, incentive/special pay may be in store for cyber-mission employees.
Business
VA Inspector General Says Wait Lists Are a ‘Systemic Problem'
The IG report confirms that 1,700 veterans waited at least 115 days for care at the VA hospital in Phoenix as the investigation widens to 46 facilities. By Sarah Mimms
Policy
House Bill Shifts Some Nuclear Weapons Funds To Pay for Veterans Care
Refurbishing old nukes can wait. Improving veterans’ healthcare and financial options can't, House lawmakers say. By Douglas P. Guarino
Business
Are Paychecks the Problem? Senate Considers Bonuses for Pentagon’s Cyber Workforce
The private sector is eating the Pentagon’s lunch when it comes to skilled workers. A Senate panel wants to know if bonuses and incentives will make a difference. By Aliya Sternstein
Business
The Pentagon and Congress Must Stop Raiding the Afghan War Fund
New legislation just passed the House that prevents Congress and the Pentagon from using war funds to pay for things that have nothing to do with war. By William D. Hartung
Policy
Personnel Costs Divide Senate, House Defense Bills
Soaring personnel costs have driven a wedge between the Senate and House versions of the 2015 defense authorization bill. By Kellie Lunney
Policy