Svetlana Shkolnikova
@svetashko.bsky.social
📤 306
📥 72
📝 9
Covering Congress + beyond for
@starsandstripes.bsky.social
🪖
[email protected]
reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 month ago
The House Armed Services Committee is seeking answers from the Pentagon on its plan for Stars and Stripes, sending two requests asking how the Defense Department will ensure the organization's congressionally mandated independence amid efforts to "refocus" its content. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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House Armed Services Committee seeks answers on Pentagon plan for Stars and Stripes
The House Armed Services Committee has asked the Pentagon how Stars and Stripes will be able to keep its congressionally mandated independence.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2026-01-21/house-armed-service-inquiry-pentagon-stripes-20482136.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 month ago
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House are hoping to stymie President Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland with a new bill that prohibits the use of federal funds for the invasion of NATO allies and territories.
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Lawmakers seek to bar use of federal funds to take over Greenland
The White House has said it is considering a range of options to take control of the island, including military force.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2026-01-13/lawmakers-federal-funds-greenland-takeover-20395909.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 2 months ago
Several Senate Republicans broke with President Donald Trump to advance a resolution requiring the president to seek explicit congressional approval before taking any further military action in Venezuela as the U.S. seeks to exert control over the country.
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Senate moves to rein in Trump on Venezuela
The 52-47 procedural vote came days after a military raid involving nearly 200 special operations forces and 150 aircraft captured Nicolás Maduro.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2026-01-08/senate-vote-war-powers-act-20342166.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
4 months ago
Democratic senators representing states that bore the brunt of the fallout from explosive nuclear weapons testing are seeking to pass legislation that would bar President Donald Trump from unilaterally resuming such tests.
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Democrats introduce bill barring Trump from unilaterally restarting nuclear weapons tests
The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act is a response to Trump’s announcement that he had ordered the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons tests.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-11-07/senate-legislation-blocking-nuclear-tests-19689338.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
4 months ago
The Senate on Thursday rejected, mostly along party lines, a bipartisan resolution to block President Donald Trump from conducting strikes against Venezuela as the U.S. continued to surge troops and military assets to the region. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Senate votes down bipartisan measure to block attack on Venezuela
The Senate has rejected, mostly along party lines, a bipartisan resolution to block President Donald Trump from conducting strikes against Venezuela.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-11-06/senate-vote-war-powers-trump-19679502.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
5 months ago
More than a dozen veterans in the House have accused President Donald Trump of undermining the apolitical nature of the military by telling senior officers that American cities should be used as “training grounds” to combat an “invasion from within.”
#Flashes
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
7 months ago
ICYMI: In an overnight vote, the House approved an $831.5 billion defense spending bill that keeps a flat budget for the Pentagon, provides a 3.8% pay raise for troops and cuts about 45,000 positions from the civilian workforce. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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House approves $831.5B for Pentagon with pay raise for troops and civilian workforce cuts
In an overnight vote, the House approved an $831.5 billion defense spending bill that keeps a flat budget for the Pentagon, provides a 3.8% pay raise for troops and cuts some 45,000 positions from the...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-07-18/house-pentagon-defense-spending-bill-18478871.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
8 months ago
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees unveiled legislation Friday supporting a 3.8% pay raise for service members and restricting any Pentagon efforts to undermine aid to Ukraine or drastically reduce American forces in Europe. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Defense policy bills endorse pay raise for troops, restrict force reductions in Europe
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees unveiled legislation Friday supporting a 3.8% pay raise for service members and restricting any Pentagon efforts to undermine aid to Ukraine or drastical...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-07-11/ndaa-house-senate-pay-raise-troops-europe-18411487.html
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The sprawling bill will raise spending on defense and immigration enforcement while lowering funding for health and nutrition programs, including eliminating exemptions from work requirements for veterans who rely on food assistance.
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House sends Trump megabill with $150B boost to defense, tighter rules for food aid for veterans
The House on Thursday passed President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy bill, extending tax cuts, cutting spending on social safety net programs and giving the Pentagon $150 billion on top of ...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-07-03/house-vote-big-beautiful-bill-18326972.html
8 months ago
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
8 months ago
#BREAKING
: The House has passed President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy bill, extending tax cuts, cutting spending on social safety net programs and giving the Pentagon $150 billion on top of its annual budget. Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
#Flashes
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
8 months ago
The Senate on Friday voted against moving forward with a resolution that would have reined in President Donald Trump’s ability to take further military action against Iran, rejecting an effort by Democrats to reaffirm congressional war powers. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Senate rejects resolution requiring congressional approval for Iran strikes
The Senate voted Friday against moving forward with a resolution that would have reined in President Donald Trump’s ability to take further military action against Iran, rejecting an effort by Democra...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-06-27/senate-war-powers-iran-trump-18267422.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
8 months ago
A group of 12 military veterans serving in the House told President Donald Trump that they will support a resolution to require approval from lawmakers for further military action against Iran in a bid to claw back Congress’ power to declare war.
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Military veterans serving in the House demand congressional approval for more attacks against Iran
A group of 12 military veterans serving in the House told President Donald Trump on Monday that they will support a resolution to require approval from lawmakers for further military action against Ir...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-06-23/house-veterans-war-powers-trump-iran-18217610.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
9 months ago
During congressional testimony Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and defended deploying National Guard troops and Marines to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles, saying the military was "proud to do it." (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Hegseth says National Guard troops and Marines ‘proud’ to deploy to Los Angeles immigration protests
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday defended the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles, saying the military was “proud to do it” and w...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-06-10/hegseth-la-protests-marines-guard-troops-18076533.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
9 months ago
Army officials confirmed that the service is preparing to provide 20,000 National Guard troops to crack down on immigration, raising concerns among lawmakers about the “unprecedented” nature of the deployment.
#Flashes
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
10 months ago
While service leaders advise it is too soon to tell how they will be impacted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's order to pare down the military's senior ranks, the Marine Corps says it will likely be affected the most. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Marine Corps expects largest impact from Hegseth’s officer cuts
Service officials said it was too soon to tell how they will be impacted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order to pare down the military’s senior ranks, but the Marine Corps will likely be affecte...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-05-06/hegseth-generals-admirals-cuts-marines-17705489.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
10 months ago
"This is going to be a challenge for us": Personnel chiefs for each of the military services told a congressional subpanel Wednesday they are bracing for the impact of civilians voluntarily resigning as part of the Defense Department's effort to trim its workforce. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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‘This is going to be a challenge’: Military services steeling for impact from civilian resignations
Tens of thousands of civilian employees who work for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force are voluntarily resigning as part of the Department of Defense’s effort to trim its workfor...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-04-30/military-civilians-resignations-17637481.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
10 months ago
The global supply chain that the U.S. military relies on to produce weapons and equip troops, built up over decades, could be under threat as the Trump administration seeks to lessen American reliance on imports and bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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‘Prices are going to go up’: Trade war threatens US weapon production
The U.S. military relies on a network of countries around the world to produce the sophisticated weapons and equipment that arm its warfighters.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-04-25/defense-department-tariffs-trump-military-17578581.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
11 months ago
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee warned this week that tariffs levied against Australia and other security partners in the Indo-Pacific region were harming relationships needed to deter China. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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‘Collateral damage’: Democrats warn tariffs on Indo-Pacific nations will harm military partnerships
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee warned Wednesday that tariffs levied against Australia and other security partners in the Indo-Pacific region were harming relationships needed to deter...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-04-09/house-democrats-indo-pacific-tariffs-17420956.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
11 months ago
Mourners carrying wreaths and flags filled the streets in Lithuania’s capital Wednesday to memorialize four U.S. soldiers who died last week during a military training exercise.
#Flashes
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
11 months ago
Top members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday asked the Defense Department to investigate the Signal group chat in which Trump national security officials discussed plans for airstrikes in Yemen in the presence of a journalist. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Senate Armed Services Committee leaders request Pentagon investigation of Signal scandal
Top senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday asked the Defense Department to investigate the Signal group chat in which Trump national security officials discussed plans for airstri...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-03-27/senate-armed-services-reed-wicker-signal-chat-17278959.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
11 months ago
“If House Republicans won’t hold a hearing on how this happened IMMEDIATELY, I’ll do it my damn self.” Lawmakers demanded answers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials discussed war plans in a text conversation that included a journalist. Read more:
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‘Stunning and dangerous’: Democrats demand answers about Trump administration’s group chat about war plans
Lawmakers, including top Democrats on Senate and House Armed Services committees, demanded answers Monday after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Trump administration officials discussed war pl...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-03-24/war-plans-hegseth-vance-rubio-waltz-17249713.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
11 months ago
John Phelan, an investor who said he would make up for his lack of military experience with his business acumen, was confirmed Monday to serve as Navy secretary. Phelan will become the first person in more than 15 years to lead the Navy without having served in any branch of the military.
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Senate confirms investor John Phelan to serve as Navy secretary
John Phelan, an investor who said he would make up for his lack of military experience with his business acumen, was confirmed Monday by the Senate to serve as Navy secretary.
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-03-24/navy-secretary-phelan-17250320.html
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A top Navy admiral told lawmakers last week that shipyard workers were exempt from a Defense Department-wide probationary employee purge. Meanwhile at least 10 probationary workers were fired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine:
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Navy says shipyards are exempt from DOD’s probationary purge, though 10 workers were fired this week
At least 10 workers were fired from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine this week, a day after a top Navy admiral told lawmakers that the service’s shipyard workforce is exempt from a Defense Departmen...
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-03-14/navy-shipyard-workers-firings-17141499.html
12 months ago
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
12 months ago
Senior service leaders said that they will be significantly challenged by a stopgap spending bill that the Senate plans to vote on this week to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a shutdown.
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‘A huge hit to us’: Senior service leaders warn of delays and disruptions under pending stopgap funding bill
Senior service leaders said Wednesday they will be significantly challenged by a stopgap spending bill the Senate plans to vote on this week to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a shutdow...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-03-12/military-services-continuing-resolution-senate-17118860.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
12 months ago
The resurrection of military shipbuilding in the U.S. will hinge on improving wages and benefits for workers at shipyards, Navy officials and experts said Tuesday as lawmakers raised fears of cuts to shipyard workforces. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Higher pay for shipyard workers critical for military shipbuilding revival, experts say
The resurrection of military shipbuilding in the U.S. will hinge on improving wages and benefits for workers at shipyards, Navy officials and experts said Tuesday as lawmakers raised fears of cuts to ...
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-03-11/navy-shipbuilding-workforce-17109011.html
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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., blasted the House on Wednesday for “skipping town on a Tuesday” and forcing senators to accept either a “half-assed” funding measure that will harm the military or a “catastrophic” shutdown.
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‘A huge hit to us’: Senior service leaders warn of delays and disruptions under pending stopgap funding bill
Senior service leaders said Wednesday they will be significantly challenged by a stopgap spending bill the Senate plans to vote on this week to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a shutdow...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-03-12/military-services-continuing-resolution-senate-17118860.html
12 months ago
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Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, responds to the Trump-Zelensky meeting:
12 months ago
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
Stephen Feinberg, the president's nominee for deputy defense secretary, declined Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to say whether Russia invaded Ukraine and deflected questions from senators about planned cuts to the Pentagon's civilian workforce. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Nominee for deputy defense secretary won’t say Russia invaded Ukraine or how Pentagon will cut workforce
Stephen Feinberg, President Donald Trump’s nominee for deputy defense secretary, declined Tuesday to say whether Russia invaded Ukraine and deflected questions from senators about planned cuts to the ...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-02-25/feinberg-defense-department-pentagon-senate-trump-16952661.html
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1/3 of the federal workforce is made up of national security personnel, including civilians who acquire military hardware for troops, provide medical care at military treatment facilities, maintain equipment at shipyards and provide warning on threats to the U.S.
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
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Democrats warn Trump’s push to cut federal workforce threatens national security personnel
Top Democrats overseeing national security policy are raising alarm that President Donald Trump’s actions against federal employees are threatening and politicizing thousands of non-partisan jobs in t...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-02-07/democrats-federal-workforce-cuts-national-security-pentagon-intelligence-16757177.html
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
For 25 years, between 1951 and 1976, women service members were involuntarily separated from the military due to motherhood, leaving without separation benefits, counseling or assistance. Now, new legislation aims to make financial and symbolic amends. (from
@svetashko.bsky.social
)
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Women discharged from military due to motherhood eligible for compensation under new bill
The Women Involuntary Separated Earnings Remittance Act seeks to establish a process to upgrade military records and discharges for women who were wrongfully separated from 1951 to 1976, provide a one...
https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2025-02-06/women-discharged-military-motherhood-compensation-earnings-remittance-act-16744059.html
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One military spouse said she is being forced to choose between commuting 200 miles to her agency’s office in Washington or leaving her job of 18 years.
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
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Lawmakers seek to exempt military spouses from return-to-office order
The bill would spare military spouses who work for the federal government from going back to in-person work as ordered by President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-02-05/lawmakers-military-spouses-remote-work-16730562.html
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
The Senate has confirmed Doug Collins, an Air Force Reserve chaplain and former Republican House representative, to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Senate confirms Doug Collins as VA secretary
The Senate confirmed Doug Collins, an Air Force Reserve chaplain and former Republican House representative, to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2025-02-04/collins-va-secretary-senate-confirmed-16718147.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
#BREAKING
: The Senate has confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary by the narrowest of margins, with the tie-breaking vote case by Vice President JD Vance. It was only the second time in modern history that a vice president had to be called to the Capitol to break a tie on a Cabinet nomination.
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Senate confirms Pete Hegseth as defense secretary after rare tie-breaking vote by vice president
The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as defense secretary by the narrowest of margins, elevating an Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host to the top Pentagon job with the help of a rare ti...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-01-24/hegseth-senate-vote-defense-secretary-16592275.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
BREAKING NEWS | The Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday advanced Pete Hegseth’s bid to become President Donald Trump’s defense secretary, sending his nomination to the Senate floor over the objections of Democrats.
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Senate Armed Services Committees advances Pete Hegseth’s nomination as defense secretary
The Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday advanced Pete Hegseth’s bid to become President Donald Trump’s defense secretary, sending his nomination to the Senate floor for a vote later this week.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-01-20/pete-hegseth-senate-armed-services-committee-defense-secretary-16548048.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
Pete Hegseth defended himself against accusations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse and mismanagement on Tuesday and vowed to “restore the warrior ethos” to the Pentagon as he tried to convince senators of his fitness to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary. The recap:
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Senators grill Hegseth on character, views on women in contentious confirmation hearing
Pete Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran and former Fox News host, faced a divided Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to be the next defense secr...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-01-14/hegseth-senate-confirmation-hearing-defense-secretary-16479843.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
Pete Hegseth meets with supporters after his confirmation hearing 📸: Svetlana Shkolnikova for Stars and Stripes
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Full house for Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing
about 1 year ago
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Pete Hegseth, who has expressed opposition to women serving in combat roles, criticized the promotion of Adm. Lisa Franchetti to the first female chief of naval operations because, among other things, she had no combat experience.
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
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Hegseth’s views on women in combat expected to face scrutiny at Senate hearing
Pete Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox News personality, will have his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday to be the next defense secretary.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-01-12/hegseth-defense-secretary-senate-hearing-16458282.html
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
Thousands of people braved cold temperatures and the aftermath of a snowstorm Wednesday to honor and pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state in the U.S. Capitol.
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
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‘Devoted his life to service and sacrifice’: American public says goodbye as Carter lies in state at Capitol
Thousands of people show up at the U.S. Capitol to honor and pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-01-08/president-jimmy-carter-capitol-16420579.html
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
about 1 year ago
A proposal to ban health care coverage of certain medical treatments for the transgender children of service members has become a point of contention as the House readies this week for a vote on a defense policy bill containing the measure. Learn more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
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There are concerns in the Senate that Donahue will have to call Trump to justify his actions in Afghanistan in order to have the hold lifted. "It just seems like Donahue is the first in line to face a political loyalty test."
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
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GOP senator blames general for Afghanistan withdrawal ‘disaster,’ blocks his promotion to command Army forces in Europe
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., has blocked the promotion of Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue at the request of President-elect Donald Trump because of the general’s role in the Afghanistan withdrawa...
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-11-25/army-general-afghanistan-promotion-gop-senator-block-15965818.html
over 1 year ago
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reposted by
Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stars and Stripes
over 1 year ago
Russia and China have for the first time started conducting joint operations in the Arctic, dramatically stepping up their activity in a part of the world where the U.S. and Russia share a maritime boundary. Read more:
www.stripes.com/branches/coa...
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Russia and China conducting joint Arctic operations for first time, Coast Guard says
Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for Coast Guard operations, told House lawmakers that Russia and China have for the first time started conducting joint operations in the Arctic, dramaticall...
https://www.stripes.com/branches/coast_guard/2024-11-14/coast-guard-arctic-icebreakers-russia-china-15849293.html
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