By Debbie Gregory. The 2017 VA budget will continue to support the largest transformation in VA history, expanding access to healthcare and benefits, while attempting to end homelessness among those who have served. The budget includes $78.7 billion in discretionary funding, which is earmarked largely for healthcare, which is almost 5 percent more than the […]
By Debbie Gregory. An alert customs inspector unraveled a cross-border scheme to defraud the federal government of more than $30 million. The inspector’s observation set in motion a criminal investigation that led to the owners of Barrier Wear forfeiting $2.1 million to the federal government, and facing probation. Loose tags on a 2009 shipment of […]
By Debbie Gregory. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has confirmed that the Pentagon plans to sharply increase spending on the fight against the Islamic State group and potentially put more American “boots on the ground” in Iraq and Syria in an “enabling” role. “We have 3,700 boots on the ground in Iraq today, and we’re looking […]
By Debbie Gregory. Five evolving challenges drive the Pentagon’s planning for the 2017 defense budget request, including Russian aggression in Europe, the rise of China in the Asia Pacific, North Korea, Iran, and the ongoing fight against terrorism, especially the Islamic. The annual budget request the Pentagon sends to Congress will include a 1.6 percent […]
By Debbie Gregory. The good news is that the VA’s claims backlog, a major source of embarrassment for a number of years, has fallen impressively. The bad news is the price tag that goes along with the accomplishment. The cost of VA’s paperless electronic claims network, called the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), has already […]
By Debbie Gregory. As the U.S. winds down the Afghan war, the government has been eyeing a much reduced military force, with numbers at the lowest level since World War II. The downsizing is also due to defense cuts mandated by Congress. The 2011 Budget Control Act required $500 billion in defense cuts over a […]
By Debbie Gregory. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter submitted a proposed $583 billion Defense Department budget for 2017 that focuses more on high-tech future conflicts and less on counterterrorism operations against militants such as the Islamic State group. But the budget does include a significant increase in funding for the fight against Islamic State, also […]
By Debbie Gregory. Family caregivers provide crucial support in caring for veterans. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act was signed into law in May, 2010. The law acknowledges the critical role of caregivers for seriously injured post- 9/11 veterans, and establishes a national program that addresses the wellness and training of family caregivers. […]
By Debbie Gregory. Col. Eugene Caughey, currently assigned to Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, has been charged with rape, assault and adultery, dating back to 2013, according to court documents. Caughey is accused of raping a woman at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado, in late 2014 or early 2015 while […]
By Debbie Gregory. Following credible threats against him by followers of the Islamic State, Special Forces soldier and UFC fighter Tim Kennedy responded with four words: “Let those cowards come.” Kennedy served in 7th Special Forces Group, and is now a sergeant first class with the Texas National Guard. Threats are nothing new to Kennedy. […]
