Veterans volunteer longer, vote more often than civilian peers, according to a new report looking at civic engagement www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

Some personal news... After 11 years at @militarytimes.bsky.social, next week will be my last at the publication. It has been a great run, thanks to all of the excellent reporters and generous sources I've been lucky enough to work with.

BLS unemployment data for August: 3.1% for all vets (3.0% in July), 3.0% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.1% in July), 4.3% for the nation (4.2% in July).

Happening now: @repmarktakano.bsky.social, Sen Blumenthal, Rep Brownley and veterans advocates protesting @DeptVetAffairs proposed rule change dumping access to abortion care. Takano calls it a matter of veterans health and safety.

Update from the VA Inspector General's Office: New IG Cheryl Mason was sworn in yesterday. Background here -- www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

BLS unemployment data for July: 3.0% for all vets (3.7% in June), 3.1% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.8% in June), 4.2% for the nation (4.1% in June).

Despite Democratic objections over her lack of independence, senior VA advisor Cheryl Mason was confirmed today as the department's new inspector general www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

New this morning: @harvardkennedy.bsky.social out today with a new fellowship for vets and former federal workers for public service studies. Move comes as the university is sparring publicly with the White House on a host of issues. www.militarytimes.com/education-tr...

HASC passes #FY26NDAA draft by a 55-2 vote -- final gavel comes down at 11:37pm. Details here: www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

Order for today's HASC #FY26NDAA markup: — Tactical Air/Land — Strategic forces — Seapower — Cyber — Readiness — Intelligence — Personnel — Full committee matters

It’s HASC #NDAA time. #FY26NDAA

VA expects to total almost 30,000 staff cuts by the end of this fiscal year, but is dropping plans for a larger reduction in force to trim the department bureaucracy www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

After last week's airstrikes, Rep. Tony Gonzales is proposing the creation of a new Iranian Campaign Medal, with eligibility open to any troops who served in direct support of Operation Midnight Hammer. www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

Lots of news today, but this House Dems roundtable now on veterans housing support is worth noting. The issue is becoming a friction point between the parties, with veterans groups trying to push for both reforms and continued support of current programs.

House Republicans pass $435 billion budget plan for VA next fiscal year over objections from Democratic lawmakers www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

Out now: @afghanevac and @iava are asking vets to accompany Afghan allies into immigration hearings, to show support from the community and provide reassurance if needed www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

Happening now — VA Sec Collins testified before the Senate Approps Committee on the FY26 budget request. Live here: www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/a-r...

Trump will nominate U.S. Fleet Forces Commander Adm. Daryl Caudle to serve as the Navy’s next chief of naval operations -- details from Riley Ceder www.militarytimes.com/news/your-na...

Unusual level of chippiness at SASC today for SecDef Hegseth's testimony. Sen. Sheehy yelled at protestors from the dias before the hearing began. Sen. Tuberville just taunted Sen. Hirono to "ask professional questions" during her time grilling Hegseth.

Presser now at VFWHQ with Sen Blumenthal pushing for more support for military sexual trauma victims — concerns the bipartisan Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act.

Day three of SecDef Hegseth budget hearings on Capitol Hill, this time before House Armed Services. Crowds are still large -- lots of folks waiting in the hallway, hoping a seat in the large hearing room opens up.

Hegseth testimony before House Approps this morning, by the numbers: ** "Warrior ethos" -- five times ** "Lethality" -- four times ** "Warfighter" -- four times ** References to the souther US border -- 16 times docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/...

The #Unite4Veterans rally on the National Mall officially kicks off at the top of the hour — crowd is starting to gather now, with signs and shirts protesting the administration’s proposed cuts to VA.

BLS unemployment data for May: 3.6% for all vets (3.5% in April), 3.3% for OIF/OEF era vets (2.9% in April), 4.2% for the nation (4.2% in April).

More vets rallies today — women vets holding a presser outside the Capitol now to highlight “a harmful rollback of women’s roles and recognition” in the military and at VA. With @houlahan.house.gov @repgoodlander.bsky.social

House Appropriations Committee's veterans panel is marking up its draft of the VA-MilCon budget now -- background here: www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

Press conference now on psychiatric medication overprescription and veteran suicide — with Rep Jack Bergman, VFW and others. #nomoredeadfriends

IAVA announces new CEO -- @kyleannehunter.bsky.social‬ will take over for Allison Jaslow. Details here: www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

Happening now: VA Sec Doug Collins speaking to the #NCHV2025 conference, discussing help for homeless veterans. @nchvorg.bsky.social

Happening now: #NCHV2025 kicks off this morning with panels on ways to support vets experiencing homelessness. VA Sec Collins set to address the group Friday morning. @nchvorg.bsky.social

Happening now: Democratic lawmakers and veterans groups rally for action on the Major Richard Star Act, reforming how veterans disability benefits are paid out. Legislation has been stalled for years. @SenBlumenthal @RepRaulRuizMD

Elizabeth Dole Foundation hosting its annual convening today on veterans caregiver issues. VA Sec Collins is scheduled to speak this morning.

VA Sec Collins just told lawmakers that officials launched their study this week into efforts to improve/upgrade the Manchester VA Medical Center in New Hampshire. Details here: www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

Lots of VA budget discussion on Capitol Hill today -- VA Sec Collins is appearing before House Approps now and House Veterans' Affairs this afternoon. appropriations.house.gov/schedule/hea... veterans.house.gov/calendar/eve...

Happening now: @iava @TAPSorg @GIBillRights holding a presser on Republican attempts to repeal the 90/10 rule regarding veterans education benefits. Background here: www.airforcetimes.com/education-tr...

Late Friday, Trump signed an executive order mandating a host of veterans benefits/medical care reforms. Here's a full look at what the White House wants to do www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

The expansion of the veterans online memorial includes the names of almost 93,000 veterans killed overseas during World War II.

House Dems presser now voicing concerns about potential/ongoing reductions to VA medical care due to department mandates and rollbacks. VA Sec Collins has strongly refuted the reports. @RepDeluzio @RepHoulahan @RepTedLieu @RepGoodlander and more.

Trump nominates senior VA advisor, former Board of Veterans Appeals chairwoman as next department inspector general www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

Happening now — @commondefense rally with Dem lawmakers to protest proposed staff/contract cuts at VA.

Recapping today’s Senate testimony from VA Sec Collins — Does the department need some reforms or a complete overhaul? www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

VA Sec Collins declined to speak to the press following today’s hearing. Typically both Republican and Democratic secretaries have stopped to talk, although not always, depending on scheduling.

VA Sec Collins now making his first appearance before Congress since his confirmation hearing in January. Expect some tough questions about proposed staff/program cuts.

abc7ny.com/post/trump-s... Trump plans to change Veterans Day into ‘Victory Day for World War I’. My statement in response. More at @indyvetsofamerica.bsky.social: independentveteransofamerica.org/rieckhoff-re...

Full @DAVHQ statement on Trump proposal to rename Veterans Day as Victory Day for WWI: www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

White House budget plan calls for another boost to VA program funding despite deep cuts to other non-defense agencies www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

BLS unemployment data for April: 3.5% for all vets (3.8% in March), 2.9% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.1% in March), 4.2% for the nation (4.2% in March).

For-profit colleges could once again use veterans education benefits to skirt federal accounting rules under a provision included in the Republican reconciliation bill. www.militarytimes.com/education-tr...

Big news -- House Veterans' Affairs Committee leaders are asking Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate possible criminal charges against former VA leaders for budgetary errors last summer www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber (second from left) speaking now on a BlueStarFamily panel discussing ways to support veterans in higher education.