In the News

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs incorrectly gave veterans about $5 billion more in disability compensation and pension payments than it should have in the last four fiscal years — an error that lawmakers say is recurring and getting worse.

In an oversight hearing Wednesday, the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs pressed VA officials to explain how the agency planned to rectify a problem that regularly creates financial nightmares for veterans when they are asked to pay the money back.

A new act is aiming for the federal government to pursue the death penalty in all 50 states, even where it's banned, for undocumented murderers.

Texas lawmakers push for the death penalty nationwide 

Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would allow the federal government to seek the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of murdering American citizens, codifying an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January.

FIRST ON FOX: A House Republican is seeking to ensure illegal immigrants who commit murder in the U.S. are eligible for the death penalty in all 50 states.

Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, is introducing a bill on Thursday called the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murder Act, which would establish a new class of federal criminal offenses specifically directed at convicted murderers who are in the country illegally.

The Veterans Benefits Administration -- the arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs that adjudicates disability compensation claims -- has processed more than 1 million filings this year and is on track to complete 2.5 million total by year's end, which is roughly a half-million more than it processed in 2024, according to officials.

The department announced in late February it had reached the 1 million claims mark two weeks earlier than in 2024 despite receiving a 16% increase in applications last year.

WASHINGTON — Veterans groups urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to take steps to end common mistakes in claims reviews for disability that include redundant requests for veterans to undergo more medical exams when the clinical diagnoses already are in their records.

Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans were among veterans advocacy groups to identify problems and offer recommendations at a hearing Wednesday of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s subpanel on disability assistance and memorial affairs.

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle expressed concern this week over cuts to special operations forces, with many vowing to plus-up their budget as a response.

During Senate and House subpanels, military leaders and members of Congress outlined force cuts and budget reductions that have led to risks in missions for special operations forces because, in many cases, the head of Special Operations Command has been forced to tell combatant commanders “no” when they request capabilities.

It’s vital that Congress renew the expiring $1 billion state and local cybersecurity grant program, witnesses testified before a House panel, but they added that it could benefit from some upgrades, too.

As a combat veteran and a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have witnessed firsthand the epidemic of suicide and its devastating impact on the veteran community. Too often I have heard of a fellow brother or sister in arms losing their battle with mental health.

This is a deeply personal issue to me. In Congress, it is my priority to represent the silent voices of those who are suffering alone. No veteran should have to face this battle by themselves; it is our duty to serve those who sacrificed everything for this country.