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5 March 2024

Military Times | State of the Union speech expected to touch on military budget issues

White House budget planners are expected to unveil their plans for the fiscal 2025 federal budget on March 11, but lawmakers are unlikely to have the fiscal 2024 year-long spending plan finalized before then.

Associated Press | US military aircraft airdrop thousands of meals into Gaza in emergency humanitarian aid operation

Three planes from Air Forces Central dropped 66 bundles containing about 38,000 meals into Gaza at 8:30 a.m. EST (3:30 p.m. local). The bundles were dropped in southwest Gaza, on the beach along the territory’s Mediterranean coast. The airdrop was coordinated with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, which said it had two food airdrops Saturday in northern Gaza and has conducted several rounds in recent months.

WFLA | Veteran not offered civilian care after VA appointment wait that took ‘forever’

The law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay private sector doctors for care outside the government network if a veteran waits longer than 20 days for a primary care appointment. Peter Hopper, a Navy veteran who said he was nearly shot to death in Vietnam, claims he waited longer than the time limit. He said he was still not offered Community Care for a check up to diagnose the cause of a balance issue.

Military.com | Veteran travel reimbursement headaches prompt VA to pursue new options for claims filing, processing

Between the end of a pandemic-era flexibility for veterans to submit travel claims at any time, the challenges posed by the VA's app-based travel claims system for some veterans, and the removal of filing kiosks that relied on an older system from medical facilities, veterans continue to have trouble filing travel reimbursement claims, with some simply giving up and paying out of pocket.

Defense News | The Pentagon’s budget season is approaching. Experts say buckle up.

If Congress doesn’t pass all its spending bills by April 30, there will be automatic 1% across-the-board budget cuts, per the terms of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, a deal struck last year to avoid a government default.

The Hill | McConnell to step down as Senate GOP leader

McConnell said he plans to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2027, and will continue to work hard leading his conference through this year’s election.

National Review | How trade can help the U.S. beat China

Trade restrictions weaken our economy, and by retreating from global markets, we neglect one of our best tools for expanding our influence across the globe and strengthening our national security.

Washington Post | Having Ukraine join NATO now is too risky

Instead of continually teasing Ukraine with phantom NATO membership at some undefined point in the future, the alliance should be honest with Ukraine: We will support you, but the costs of formal membership simply outweigh the benefits.

The American Conservative | Shouldn’t you get a say on the Yemen War?

Even Biden’s fellow Democrats understand that Congress remains the final authority on authorizing the use of military force.

Responsible Statecraft | US inks deal to build up to 5 bases in Somalia

This isn't necessarily about security but about an increasing influence game in the region.

The Overwatch | Long wait times at the VA? Read this.

On March 5, VA access is expanding through the PACT Act to veterans who’ve experienced toxic exposure. These veterans will be eligible for VA care without enrolling first. While veterans should have access to the timely and quality care they’ve earned, the VA’s rush to quickly expand eligibility without proper planning beforehand means a wave of new veterans will enter an already over-burdened system ill-equipped to meet their needs. Our wait times for care could get even longer.

Military Times | This vet-founded nonprofit is ‘fishing’ for healing

Healing from the scars of war can come in many forms. Some veterans have found peace through music or golf – and some, like Air Force veteran Jim Dolan, found it through kayak fishing.

Associated Press | New Orleans hat seller honored by France for service in WWII

Samuel Meyer, who still puts in a few days a week at Meyer the Hatter, the business started by his grandfather in 1894, was awarded the rank of chevalier, or knight, of the National Order of the Legion of Honor.

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