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Senator Cantwell and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand PACT Act Coverage for Iran War Veterans

Senator Cantwell and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Expand PACT Act Coverage for Iran War Veterans

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), alongside 12 Senate colleagues including Senator Angus King (I-ME), has introduced new legislation aimed at ensuring Iran War veterans receive coverage under the PACT Act. This bill seeks to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, making it easier for service members exposed to toxic substances during their deployment in Iran to access necessary treatment. The PACT Act, enacted four years ago, facilitated healthcare access for veterans exposed to toxic substances by establishing a list of presumed-exposure locations. However, Iran is currently not on this list, despite troops in the Iran War facing similar hazards. The proposed 'New PACT for Iran Veterans Act' would mandate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to add Iran to the covered locations and proactively review all overseas assignments for toxic substance exposures every five years. It also requires the VA Secretary to publicly justify any denial of a country recommended for presumed toxic exposure or removal of exist...

Hegseth slams his potential impeachment as a 'political spectacle’ that undermines US troops

Hegseth slams his potential impeachment as a 'political spectacle’ that undermines US troops

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is contending that a rogue lawmaker is undermining American troops in war zones by targeting him with an impeachment effort over mere “policy disagreements.”

Hegseth to hold press briefing amid questions about Iran, impeachment

Hegseth to hold press briefing amid questions about Iran, impeachment

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth will take questions from reporters as he faces an impeachment vote in Congress and uncertainty about the Iran war.

Rep. Mark Takano Forces House Vote on Major Richard Star Act to End 'Wounded Veteran Tax'

Rep. Mark Takano Forces House Vote on Major Richard Star Act to End 'Wounded Veteran Tax'

Rep. Mark Takano, the ranking Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has successfully used a discharge petition to force a House floor vote on the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102). The petition garnered the necessary 218 signatures, with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., providing the decisive signature. This legislative maneuver bypasses the usual committee process, compelling the House speaker to schedule a full chamber vote within two legislative days. The Major Richard Star Act aims to eliminate the 'wounded veteran tax,' a policy that currently reduces the military retirement pay of combat-injured veterans who also receive VA disability compensation. This affects approximately 59,000 combat-injured veterans, particularly those medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service, who are currently forced to forfeit a portion of their earned benefits.

Congressman Joe Courtney Urges Passage of Major Richard Star Act to Restore Veteran Benefits

Congressman Joe Courtney Urges Passage of Major Richard Star Act to Restore Veteran Benefits

Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) delivered a speech on the House floor, advocating for the passage of the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102). This bipartisan bill aims to rectify an existing injustice that reduces earned retirement benefits for veteran retirees who also receive service-connected disability benefits. Currently, combat-injured veterans forced into medical retirement can only receive either U.S. Department of Defense retirement benefits or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation, but not both concurrently. Congressman Courtney is one of 341 cosponsors of the bill and previously signed a discharge petition to compel a House vote. With the signature threshold met, a vote on the Major Richard Star Act is anticipated on Veterans Day. He emphasized that veterans service organizations consistently highlight the unfairness of denying full retirement and disability benefits to those who suffered combat-related injuries.

As Pete Hegseth faces impeachment vote, a reminder about that military testosterone plan

As Pete Hegseth faces impeachment vote, a reminder about that military testosterone plan

While Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth faces an impeachment vote, we're looking back at his controversial plan to test U.S. troops' testosterone levels.

The Latest: Hegseth says bipartisan impeachment push is about ‘policy disagreements’

The Latest: Hegseth says bipartisan impeachment push is about ‘policy disagreements’

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is condemning the impeachment effort against him as “a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment.”

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky launches bid to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky launches bid to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has filed a resolution in the House of Representatives to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

'The wrong Dana White' takes Trump's White House press secretary joke in stride

'The wrong Dana White' takes Trump's White House press secretary joke in stride

A former Pentagon employee who shares her name with the UFC's Dana White found herself caught up in Trump's joking press secretary announcement.

Hegseth is set for his first Pentagon news briefing since May as he faces possible impeachment

Hegseth is set for his first Pentagon news briefing since May as he faces possible impeachment

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to give his first news conference from the Pentagon in six months

Trump's press secretary joke created mix-up for 'the wrong Dana White'

Trump's press secretary joke created mix-up for 'the wrong Dana White'

A former Pentagon employee who shares her name with the UFC's Dana White found herself caught up in Trump's joking press secretary announcement.

Representatives Introduce 'Healthy Meal Time Act' to Study School Lunch and Recess Timing

Representatives Introduce 'Healthy Meal Time Act' to Study School Lunch and Recess Timing

Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) have introduced the 'Healthy Meal Time Act' in Congress. This proposed legislation aims to ensure that students are allocated sufficient time to eat and engage in recess during the school day. The bill mandates the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with input from the U.S. Department of Education, to conduct a study. The purpose of this study is to identify and disseminate best practices concerning meal and recess timing in schools. Currently, there are no federal guidelines dictating the duration of school lunch periods, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a minimum of 20 minutes of seated lunch time. The 'Healthy Meal Time Act' would require the study's recommendations to consider this CDC guideline, as well as the time needed for non-eating activities and the consumption of minimally processed and unprocessed foods.