Pentagon and Congress | Air Force Times

This week in Congress: SecDef defends the White House budget

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 20, 2023.

2 days ago

An assault amphibious vehicle assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship Wasp on Jan. 14, 2019.

Greece buying vehicles that Marines Corps beached after fatal sinking

The U.S. government has approved the sale of dozens of Assault Amphibious Vehicles to Greece.

3 days ago

Marines refuel an MV-22B Osprey at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, after completing an exercise flight, Jan. 28, 2021.

Pentagon & Congress

Pentagon to phase out firefighting foam with ‘forever chemicals’

The EPA on March 14 proposed new standards for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals,” in drinking water.

Demand exploding for Tomahawk missiles as US backs latest foreign sale

Australia plans to buy the latest version of America’s long-range Tomahawk land attack missile.

4 days ago

Pentagon accelerator cell to expand weapons production

The Joint Production Accelerator Cell would expand the role of officials who helped ramp up production of aid sent to Ukraine.

4 days ago

VA to change its motto, dropping male-only language

The new statement will note VA's goal is "to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.”

4 days ago

VA plans to deploy new health records to more sites in June

The program has been delayed since last fall because of problems with software reliability and staff training.

5 days ago

Pentagon takes budget cuts ‘seriously’ ahead of congressional battles

Defense Secretary Austin is responding to a Democratic query that details the impact of proposed GOP budget on the Pentagon.

5 days ago

GOP senator blocks Biden nominee to force answers from VA

Sen. Chuck Grassley said he is upset with both VA leadership and the nominee to oversee department benefits operations.

5 days ago

A U.S. MQ-9 drone is on display during an air show at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018.

US, Russia ratchet up their rhetoric over downing of drone

The Kremlin said Moscow would try to recover the wreckage of the drone from the Black Sea.

5 days ago

VA aims to help 38,000+ homeless veterans again this year

The department is repeating its goal from last year in 2023, with some additional benchmarks for outreach.

5 days ago

Military transition classes are ‘falling short,’ lawmakers warn

Research shows most troops don't begin transition classes until they are in their final months of military service.

6 days ago

Military seeks funding for universal prekindergarten at DoD schools

The Biden administration has requested funding for full-day prekindergarten at military schools worldwide.

7 days ago

Plan to boost visas for Afghan allies isn’t enough, advocates warn

The White House hopes to increase the number of Afghan visas to 20,000 in its fiscal 2024 budget plan.

7 days ago

The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing configured six F-15E Strike Eagles to carry extra bombs to bare-base locations, taking off from an undisclosed location April 25, 2021. This new configuration is allowing the Air Force to increase combat capabilities by carrying more munitions than the Strike Eagle can use on one mission to a forward operating base. (U.S. Air Force)

Pentagon budget aims to max munitions production, make multiyear buys

Pentagon officials say they will maximize production lines for top priority munitions as part of its $170 billion procurement budget proposal for FY24.

7 days ago

This week in Congress: Military personnel plans take center stage

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 13, 2023.

7 days ago

GOP blasts ‘inadequate’ Biden defense budget as it vows spending cuts

Republicans lay the groundwork to boost the president's defense budget request, even as they vow to slash overall spending.

10 days ago

Inside Indo-Pacific Command’s $87 billion wish list to deter China

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has outlined new spending requirements to boost deterrence against China.

11 days ago

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a joint statement with his Israeli counterpart, Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant following their meeting at Ben Gurion International Airport in Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Defense Secretary Austin’s visit to Israel reveals divisions on Iran

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday discussed Iran’s nuclear ambitions with his Israeli counterpart on a visit to the country.

11 days ago

Troops would see biggest pay raise since 2002 under Biden budget plan

The big pay boost is part of a $842 billion Defense Department spending plan unveiled by the White House on Thursday.

11 days ago

Pentagon & Congress

The latest military news from the Pentagon and Congress.

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 20, 2023.

The U.S. government has approved the sale of dozens of Assault Amphibious Vehicles to Greece.

The EPA on March 14 proposed new standards for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals,” in drinking water.

Australia plans to buy the latest version of America’s long-range Tomahawk land attack missile.

The Joint Production Accelerator Cell would expand the role of officials who helped ramp up production of aid sent to Ukraine.

The new statement will note VA's goal is "to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.”

The program has been delayed since last fall because of problems with software reliability and staff training.

Defense Secretary Austin is responding to a Democratic query that details the impact of proposed GOP budget on the Pentagon.

Sen. Chuck Grassley said he is upset with both VA leadership and the nominee to oversee department benefits operations.

The Kremlin said Moscow would try to recover the wreckage of the drone from the Black Sea.

The department is repeating its goal from last year in 2023, with some additional benchmarks for outreach.

Research shows most troops don't begin transition classes until they are in their final months of military service.

The Biden administration has requested funding for full-day prekindergarten at military schools worldwide.

The White House hopes to increase the number of Afghan visas to 20,000 in its fiscal 2024 budget plan.

Pentagon officials say they will maximize production lines for top priority munitions as part of its $170 billion procurement budget proposal for FY24.

Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 13, 2023.

Republicans lay the groundwork to boost the president's defense budget request, even as they vow to slash overall spending.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has outlined new spending requirements to boost deterrence against China.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday discussed Iran’s nuclear ambitions with his Israeli counterpart on a visit to the country.

The big pay boost is part of a $842 billion Defense Department spending plan unveiled by the White House on Thursday.