GOP lawmakers target diversity training, COVID rules in defense bill
The annual defense authorization bill debate in the House focused mainly on hot-button social issues.
Coronavirus | COVID-19 Updates
Veterans Affairs drops mask requirement for all agency medical offices
Masks will still be mandated for some high-risk areas or facilities with rising virus numbers.
Two years of COVID for VA: 609,000 cases, 21,000 deaths
Department officials expect to be monitoring virus cases indefinitely, but are hopeful it will eventually become more of a nuisance than public health threat.
No GI Bill COVID emergency protection past this summer, VA says
As college campuses return to normal operations, department officials are planning to let GI Bill protections expire in June.
Judge allows 2 military officers refusing COVID jab to continue serving for now
The Navy and the Marine Corps “have failed manifestly” to meet the requirements of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, said Judge Steven Merryday
Marine reservist charged in Capitol riot now accused in fake vaccine card scam
Federal authorities charged a Marine Corps reservist and a nurse with scheming to steal, forge and sell hundreds of coronavirus vaccination cards.
National Guard deploys for new emergency: Teacher shortages
Dozens of National Guard Army and Air Force troops in New Mexico have been stepping in to help alleviate the teacher shortage.
VA tops 20,000 COVID deaths in less than two years
Almost 2,400 new VA deaths have been reported since Jan. 1.
Judge extends temporary ban on punishment for officers refusing COVID vaccine
A Navy commander and Marine lieutenant colonel testified Thursday about the reasons for resisting a military vaccine mandate.
Judge temporarily bars military from punishing two officers over vaccine refusal
The military must temporarily halt stripping two officers who refused to take the COVID vaccine of their commands, a federal judge in Florida ruled.
Free at-home COVID tests for veterans? Lawmakers want VA to make that a thing.
The VA currently provides free coronavirus tests for veterans but not any at-home self-testing kits.
