Business

Military Families Are Using Food Stamps More Than Ever

Members of the military redeemed almost $104 million worth of food stamps at commissaries in fiscal year 2013. By Eric Katz

Business

Poll: It's Time for Congress to Agree to Close Military Bases

A National Journal poll of security insiders says Congress needs to get on board with military base closures, but agrees that it probably won't. By Sara Sorcher

Business

Here's Why Cutting 20 Percent of Hagel's Staff Is a Bad Idea

The Defense Department’s plan to cut across staff headquarters by 20 percent at least deserves independent analysis. By Robert Ogden

Business

Democrats Set Trap for Republicans on Veterans Benefits

Sen. Sanders' bill would expand benefits and shift $20 billion from the war account. By Stacy Kaper and Jordain Carney

Business

Think Tanks' Dream Defense Budgets Defeat China, But Not Politics

In a gaming exercise, Washington’s premier think tanks don’t even try to thwart the biggest threat of all: political gridlock. By Kevin Baron

Business

Pentagon Comptroller Bob Hale to Step Down

After helping the military navigate through some of the toughest budget battles in history, Pentagon Comptroller Bob Hale is stepping down. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Playing the Defense Jobs Card Isn’t Working Anymore

By our count, there are half the F-35 jobs as Lockheed claims. Using defense jobs to fight budget cuts isn’t working like it used to, for good reason. By William D. Hartung

Business

9 Ways Congress Wants to Reverse Cuts to Military Benefits

Congress may have restored some cuts to medically retired veterans, but the ax is still falling on $6 billion in military benefits. Here are some of the proposals to try to avoid that. By Jordain Carney

Business

Budget Cuts Are Hurting the Pentagon's Ability to Identify Budget Cuts

Budget cuts are hampering the Pentagon's effort to track and identify areas to find savings. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Military Pension Fight Rages On

The omnibus spending bill would repeal cuts to military pensions for some working-age retirees. The fight for a full repeal, however, goes on. By Eric Katz

Business

Spending Bill Boosts Nuclear Warhead Funding by Nearly $1 Billion

The omnibus spending bill provides $7.8 billion for National Nuclear Security Administration work on the nuclear arsenal. By Rachel Oswald

Policy

Cyber Command Budget More Than Doubles

The House fiscal 2014 spending package includes $447 million for U.S. Cyber Command -- more than double last year’s budget. By Aliya Sternstein

Business

Air Force Warns Against Further Cuts to Readiness

Congress wants to protect cuts to military benefits and that has Air Force Undersecretary Eric Fanning worried about further cuts to readiness. By Sara Sorcher

Policy

In Congress, Military Benefits Are Still Sacred

Several members of Congress have proposed bills to repeal the cuts - a strong signal that military benefits are likely to remain virtually untouchable in the near future. By Sara Sorcher

Business

U.S. Will Start Cutting Its Submarine Missile Launchers Next Year

The New START treaty requires the U.S. and Russia to reduce their stockpiles and long-range delivery vehicles by 2018. By Rachel Oswald

Policy

It's Time to Cut Military Health and Pension Benefits

In a new poll, a majority of defense and national security experts say it's time to cut military health and pension benefits. By Sara Sorcher

Business

How Sequestration Weakened the Defense Lobby

Warnings that sequestration would be Armageddon for the defense industry only hurt its credibility. By Sara Sorcher

Business

Senate Backs NDAA With 1 Percent Pay Raise for Troops

The measure also extends the Pentagon's ability to provide housing allowances, reenlistment bonuses and foreign language incentives. By Eric Katz

Ideas

Get the Message: Military Compensation Reform Is Sacred No More

That Congress was willing to touch the third rail of military retirement pay shows times are changing, as they should. By Maren Leed

Policy

Senate Passes Budget Bill Cutting Pension Benefits for New Feds and Military Retirees

The $85 billion savings package would fund the government well past mid-January 2014, and sets spending levels through fiscal 2015. By Kellie Lunney