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congsynopsis.bsky.social
Covering DoD & VA health care on Capitol Hill & official DC. Trying to bring a kinder, more hopeful light to political coverage.
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Just a couple observations. DoD not observing "identity months," but quietly released an email yesterday highlighting the accomplishments of an African-American Air Force nurse in the 1950s. Music on the DoD Live site is now more peaceful; much less martial than it used to be.

Childcare center employees told BI that they're locked out of their federal grants, leaving them unable to pay staff and other bills.

NEW: President Donald Trump has given Elon Musk sweeping authority to overhaul the U.S. government bureaucracy and its operations around the globe. ProPublica confirmed the identities and roles of more than 20 key people affiliated with Musk.

What will Trump's federal worker hiring freeze mean for VA hospitals and staffing? www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

FWIW, women outnumber men 8-6 on the HASC military personnel subcommitee (its a 47-10 split in favor of men on the full committee) and there's an even split between veterans and non-veterans (both Fallon and Houlahan are vets).

I've been covering DC for a long time. First time I've seen a nominee asked about how many pushups he did this morning. Civility was stretched to the limit on the committee, especially among junior members.

HOLY 💩 I’m very surprised the Republicans went for it

Republicans barely have a majority.

Breaking — Congress finalizes Dole Caregiver Act. It now heads to the White House to become law. Details here www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

Coming up this afternoon -- House is expected to give its final stamp on the Dole Act, sweeping veterans legislation regarding caregiver benefits and community care options. The Senate approved it last week with technical changes. If the House OKs those, it heads to the White House to become law.

The Japanese Health Ministry has reported higher than expected numbers of parvovirus B19 infections in and around Tokyo, according to an alert from U.S. Army Medical Department Activities-Japan.

Housing allowance rates for service members will increase by an average of 5.4% beginning Jan. 1, the Defense Department announced. Learn more: www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...

Among those granted pardons Thursday by Joe Biden are 15 military veterans who were convicted of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)

NEW: The morning that Cmdr. Elizabeth Nakagawa was scheduled to have a D&C to remove fetal tissue after losing a very wanted pregnancy, she learned the surgery had been canceled because the military’s health insurance plan refused to pay for it. propub.li/3BsQK3e

Members of Congress are pushing legislation that threatens to break up some of the biggest U.S. health care conglomerates, including UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health, by forcing them to sell off their retail or mail-order pharmacies.

Out today -- Sens. Moran and King are pushing for VA to study signs and treatments for blast overpressure injuries, saying the scope of the problem is still largely unknown. www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

No surprise -- Rep. Bost reappointed as chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for next session.

Medical care restrictions for transgender minors in military families complicates defense bill www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...

🚨🚨🚨REPORTER JOBS ALERT!🚨🚨🚨 We have not one but TWO jobs open, one in our South bureau and another in the Southwest bureau. Both fascinating regions that desperately need more investigative journalists: boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...

BLS unemployment data for November: 2.8% for all vets (2.8% in October), 3.1% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.2% in October), 4.2% for the nation (4.1% in October).

Out now -- VA unveils plans to expand eligibility for caregiver support services and promises fewer check-ins for participants. But it's unclear if the reforms will be continued by the next adminstration. www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...

Chuck Schumer was unanimously re-elected as Senate Democratic Leader on Tuesday as he aims to move the party forward.

A job counseling program created for disadvantaged veterans would be expanded to provide free career services to surviving spouses of fallen service members under a Senate bill approved Monday. Learn more: www.stripes.com/veterans/202...

VA to fund a $1.5 million, 5-year research study on MDMA-assisted treatment for PTSD & alcohol use disorder. Planned study will address a glaring FDA concern by giving control group a smaller dose rather than a placebo. Research will be conducted in RI & CT starting in 2025.

It looks like the GOP will start off 2025 with the smallest House majority in over a century. If just ONE Republican defects, Democrats will be able to kill a bill. GOP infighting is going to be fun to watch.

Happy Thanksgiving!

LEAD CHANGE: Democrat Adam Gray is now ahead of GOP Rep. John Duarte in #CA13. By 105 votes. This is after a big update from Merced County.

A Ramstein High School junior working on his Eagle Scout project and an Air Force first sergeant who survived a rare form of blood cancer are spearheading a bone-marrow donor drive.

SecDef Austin dismisses calls for a ban on women in military combat roles, in response to proposals from Trump's SecDef nominee www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...