Author Archive
DoD aims to minimize use of Social Security numbers
The Pentagon is preparing to launch a militarywide effort to reduce the use of Social Security numbers to lower the chances of identity theft for military and civilian employees and contractors.
Vets group offers idea to speed VA claims
Veterans could receive disability benefits faster, with fewer errors, if new Veterans Affairs Department employees worked exclusively on simple claims and experienced employees handled everything else, says a Disabled American Veterans official.
Long-serving congressman Murtha dies at 77
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., the powerful and controversial chairman of the House subcommittee responsible for defense funding, died Monday, leaving a huge hole in the Democratic Party's national security team.
Vets, lawmakers applaud VA budget increases
Initial reviews are good for the Obama administration's proposed $125 billion veterans budget for 2011.
Vets groups’ priority: Reduce claims backlog
Last year, when major veterans and military associations said their top legislative priority was to prevent funding disruptions by getting veterans health care budgets approved one year in advance, Congress delivered.
Senate leaves top DoD, VA nominations hanging
The Senate shut down for the holidays without acting on nominations for four key Pentagon posts and the top health care job at the Veterans Affairs Department.
Obama signs advance VA funding into law
Veterans advocacy groups saw several years of work come to fruition last week when President Barack Obama signed a law that provides funding for the Veterans Affairs Department one year in advance.
House passes advance funding bill for VA
They didn't pass the 2010 veterans' budget on time , for the 20th time in 23 years , but House lawmakers took a historic vote Thursday to enact legislation that would prevent disruption from similar budget lapses in the future.
No COLA likely, but $250 check for some retirees
On the eve of an announcement that for the first time in 35 years there will be no annual cost-of-living increase in Social Security and government retirees' pay, the White House on Wednesday was working with Congress to rush a $250 emergency payment into...
New forecast: No COLA through 2012
A new government economic forecast warns there may be no cost-of-living adjustment in federal civilian and military retired pay until 2013.