The Latest Breaking News from Denis McDonough

Bipartisan Senate group offers bill to plug VA benefit shortfall - Roll Call

The group of senators introduced a bill that would provide the Veterans Department with an extra $2.9 billion.

Roll Call · Jul 30, 2024

Jon Stewart pushes VA to cover troops sickened by uranium after 9/11. Again, they are told to wait

Comedian Jon Stewart and troops sickened by uranium have ended a meeting at the Department of Veterans Affairs angry that once again they have been told they will have to wait to see whether the VA will connect their illnesses to the toxic base where they were deployed shortly after…

The Independent UK · Jul 27, 2024

House Democrats urge VA to find gun rider workaround - Roll Call

Rep. Mike Thompson led nearly 140 lawmakers in urging the VA to minimize the fallout from a gun-related policy rider in a new spending law.

Roll Call · Mar 13, 2024

Biden in Utah to mark anniversary of PACT Act expanding veterans benefits

President Joe Biden will commemorate the first anniversary of a bipartisan law that is delivering the largest expansion of veterans benefits in decades with a visit to a Veterans Affairs hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday

The Independent UK · Aug 10, 2023

Veterans see historic expansion of benefits for toxic exposure as new law nears anniversary

Hundreds of thousands of veterans have received additional benefits in the past year after President Joe Biden signed legislation expanding coverage for conditions connected to burn pits that were used to destroy trash and potentially toxic materials

The Independent UK · Aug 6, 2023

LGBTQ+ pride flags at VA facilities in Mississippi draw GOP criticism, protests

All the Republicans in Mississippi’s congressional delegation are demanding that the Veterans Administration remove an LGBTQ+ pride flag from the Biloxi National Cemetery

The Independent UK · Jun 6, 2023

Scope of COVID-19 funding cuts emerges as debt limit flashpoint - Roll Call

​Democrats are jumping on the House GOP plan to recoup unspent pandemic aid in their debt limit bill, arguing it will harm veterans programs.

Roll Call · Apr 25, 2023

Veterans health accounting move a new headache for appropriators - Roll Call

Debate over how how veterans funding should be provided, specifically aid to veterans exposed to toxins, is an early fiscal 2024 flashpoint.

Roll Call · Apr 5, 2023

Homelessness among veterans has been cut in half since 2010, VA says

In Texas, the number of homeless veterans has dropped 65% between 2007 and 2020, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

The Texas Tribune · Jan 26, 2023

Sen. Pat Toomey defends his effort to remove 'budget gimmick' from veterans health bill to address illnesses from burn pits, other toxins

WASHINGTON — In the face of criticism, Pennsylvania's Republican Sen. Pat Toomey is continuing to defend his opposition to what he calls a "budget gimmick" in an historic veterans health spending bill that received overwhelming Senate support in June.

Tribune News Service · Aug 2, 2022