Major leadership shakeup, new budget battles coming to VA in 2025
The major Veterans Affairs stories we're keeping an eye on in 2025.
Extremism & Disinformation
Rollback of DOD anti-extremism efforts coming in 2025, experts predict
The piecemeal progress of extremism-prevention efforts during the past four years is more than can be expected out of the Pentagon in 2025, experts said.
Government funding bill clears Congress, averting a shutdown
The plan now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to quickly sign it into law.
VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026
The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.
US troops doubled in Syria before Assad’s overthrow, Pentagon says
The surge of 1,100 troops to the country has been going on for months without being disclosed publicly.
Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus
The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.
Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans
Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.
Senate finalizes plans for a massive junior enlisted pay boost in 2025
Troops ranked E-4 and below would see a 14.5% raise and all other troops a 4.5% raise under legislation headed to the White House.
Plan to avert government shutdown does not include extra VA funds
VA leaders had asked for roughly $6.6 billion in extra funding for FY25, and said they could face problems with hiring and programs without it.
Plan would cover all health care costs for thousands of vets overseas
Providing more health care coverage for disabled veterans living abroad could be a major focus of the next session of Congress.
Congress finalizes sweeping bill to help veteran caregivers
The measure to expand assistance for veteran caregivers easily passed both the House and Senate, and now heads to the White House to become law.
Army to cut credentialing benefit, drop officers from program
The cap for credentialing reimbursements through the Army program will drop from $4,000 to $2,000 in coming months.
US defense secretary in Japan reaffirms alliance amid regional threats
The Pentagon chief also stressed trilateral cooperation with Tokyo and Seoul is crucial for regional stability even as South Korea is in political turmoil.
Defense bill for 2025 would delay F-35 deliveries
Key lawmakers grew frustrated with the F-35 program earlier this year, as critical upgrades stalled and jets piled up at Lockheed Martin's Texas factory.
Medical care limits for transgender minors complicate defense bill
A provision in the must-pass defense measure would block certain military medical care options for transgender youth.
Lawmakers call for in-depth VA study on blast pressure injuries
The 10-year research plan would examine blast injuries among veterans and offer suggestions for treatments.
Will senior enlisted troops see a targeted pay boost in 2026?
After lawmakers agreed to plans to boost pay for junior enlisted troops, they are now shifting focus to more senior enlisted members.
