WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.029 --> 00:00:04.000 Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 6-12 July 2025, your essential 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:07.389 guide to the latest news impacting the military and veteran community. 00:00:07.820 --> 00:00:11.529 Whether you're currently serving in uniform, a military retiree, a veteran, 00:00:11.529 --> 00:00:15.319 or a family member, this is your source for the critical updates you need to know. 00:00:15.653 --> 00:00:19.413 Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you the most important developments 00:00:19.413 --> 00:00:23.043 from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 00:00:23.533 --> 00:00:26.793 We’ll cover everything from new policies and pay raises affecting 00:00:26.793 --> 00:00:30.413 active and reserve forces, to changes in healthcare and benefits for 00:00:30.413 --> 00:00:34.933 retirees, and the latest on VA services and legislation for our veterans. 00:00:35.433 --> 00:00:36.423 Let's get you informed. 00:00:36.723 --> 00:00:38.233 Here’s what’s happened this past week. 00:00:38.568 --> 00:00:42.898 The second week of July 2025 marked a period of profound transformation 00:00:42.898 --> 00:00:44.488 and tension across the U.S. 00:00:44.488 --> 00:00:46.188 military and veteran communities. 00:00:46.718 --> 00:00:50.578 The landscape was defined by three powerful undercurrents: aggressive 00:00:50.578 --> 00:00:54.148 policy implementation from the White House and the Pentagon, high-stakes 00:00:54.148 --> 00:00:58.028 legislative maneuvering on Capitol Hill, and a series of contradictory signals 00:00:58.028 --> 00:00:59.668 from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 00:01:00.048 --> 00:01:04.168 From a landmark memo set to revolutionize drone warfare to executive orders 00:01:04.168 --> 00:01:07.928 reshaping the federal workforce, the directives were swift and sweeping. 00:01:08.338 --> 00:01:12.188 Simultaneously, Congress advanced critical budget and authorization bills 00:01:12.338 --> 00:01:16.228 that will dictate the future of defense spending and benefits for years to come. 00:01:16.618 --> 00:01:20.588 Compounding the complexity, the VA announced major staff reductions even 00:01:20.588 --> 00:01:24.848 as it touted record efficiency and expanded benefits, raising significant 00:01:24.848 --> 00:01:26.528 concerns among advocacy groups. 00:01:27.008 --> 00:01:30.898 This report provides a detailed, factual analysis of these pivotal 00:01:30.898 --> 00:01:35.218 developments and their far-reaching implications for active duty personnel, 00:01:35.388 --> 00:01:37.688 reservists, retirees, and veterans. 00:01:38.018 --> 00:01:40.578 Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military 00:01:40.871 --> 00:01:44.611 This week brought a torrent of news impacting uniformed service members, 00:01:44.741 --> 00:01:48.561 driven by a combination of new executive priorities, lessons learned 00:01:48.561 --> 00:01:52.471 from global conflicts, and the annual churn of the legislative process. 00:01:52.931 --> 00:01:57.171 The overarching theme is one of rapid, and at times jarring, change. 00:01:57.470 --> 00:01:59.930 Pentagon Revolutionizes Drone Warfare Doctrine 00:02:00.262 --> 00:02:04.202 On July 10, 2025, the Department of Defense released a landmark policy 00:02:04.202 --> 00:02:06.422 memorandum titled "Unleashing U.S. 00:02:06.422 --> 00:02:10.282 Military Drone Dominance," signaling a fundamental shift in how the armed 00:02:10.282 --> 00:02:16.222 forces will acquire, field, and fight with small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). 00:02:16.752 --> 00:02:21.662 The memo, driven by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aims to cut through long-standing 00:02:21.662 --> 00:02:26.282 bureaucratic inertia to rapidly scale drone capabilities across the services. 00:02:26.594 --> 00:02:30.064 This policy overhaul is not occurring in a vacuum; it is a 00:02:30.064 --> 00:02:34.134 direct response to the brutal lessons emerging from the war in Ukraine. 00:02:34.694 --> 00:02:38.894 The memo explicitly cites the conflict, noting that drones have accounted for the 00:02:38.894 --> 00:02:43.664 majority of combat losses in the past year and have proven to be the most significant 00:02:43.664 --> 00:02:45.804 battlefield innovation of this generation. 00:02:46.454 --> 00:02:49.944 This recognition has spurred a coordinated, two-pronged strategy. 00:02:50.444 --> 00:02:54.374 While the Pentagon memo alters the rules of acquisition to create a massive 00:02:54.374 --> 00:02:58.344 demand signal for cheap, effective drones, parallel action in Congress 00:02:58.344 --> 00:03:00.404 is working to bolster the supply side. 00:03:00.864 --> 00:03:02.834 The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (H.R. 00:03:02.834 --> 00:03:07.244 1), a major reconciliation package, specifically allocates additional 00:03:07.244 --> 00:03:12.324 funding in Fiscal Year 2025 to expand the small UAS industrial base and 00:03:12.324 --> 00:03:16.234 accelerate the integration of commercial technology into military systems. 00:03:16.593 --> 00:03:20.083 The key changes outlined in the Pentagon memo are designed to foster 00:03:20.083 --> 00:03:24.873 speed and agility :  Reclassification as "Expendables": In a critical 00:03:24.873 --> 00:03:29.153 bureaucratic move, Group 1 drones (weighing up to 20 pounds) and Group 00:03:29.203 --> 00:03:34.613 2 drones (up to 1,320 pounds) will no longer be treated as durable aircraft. 00:03:34.943 --> 00:03:38.993 Instead, they will be classified as "consumer goods" or treated like 00:03:38.993 --> 00:03:40.883 ammunition, such as hand grenades. 00:03:41.373 --> 00:03:45.203 This change is designed to dramatically simplify procurement and fielding. 00:03:45.588 --> 00:03:49.678 Decentralized Procurement: Authority is being pushed down the chain of command. 00:03:50.128 --> 00:03:53.668 Lower-level commanders will now be authorized to independently purchase 00:03:53.668 --> 00:03:57.148 and test small drones, including commercial off-the-shelf models 00:03:57.208 --> 00:04:00.678 and systems developed in-house by troops using approved components. 00:04:01.103 --> 00:04:05.633 Bypassing Interoperability Standards: The reclassification allows the military 00:04:05.633 --> 00:04:09.543 to bypass certain complex and costly NATO interoperability standards, 00:04:09.713 --> 00:04:14.163 like STANAG 4856, for these smaller systems, which have historically 00:04:14.163 --> 00:04:16.493 slowed down design and increased costs. 00:04:16.719 --> 00:04:20.899 Streamlined Training and Prototyping: The new policy places a heavy 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:24.539 emphasis on empowering units to innovate, encouraging the use of 00:04:24.539 --> 00:04:26.649 3D printing and rapid prototyping. 00:04:27.149 --> 00:04:31.089 It also allows local commanders to determine who is authorized to operate 00:04:31.089 --> 00:04:34.859 the systems, moving away from lengthy, centralized training pipelines. 00:04:35.226 --> 00:04:38.316 The downstream effects of this shift will be immense, forcing a 00:04:38.316 --> 00:04:40.316 cultural change across the services. 00:04:40.676 --> 00:04:44.776 Logistics chains built for large, exquisite platforms must now adapt to 00:04:44.776 --> 00:04:46.776 handle thousands of attritable drones. 00:04:47.226 --> 00:04:50.716 Training regimens will have to evolve to a reality where small infantry 00:04:50.716 --> 00:04:54.606 units possess their own organic air support, creating new tactical 00:04:54.606 --> 00:04:56.916 possibilities and new vulnerabilities. 00:04:57.265 --> 00:05:00.575 Congressional Spotlight: Budget and Authorization Bills Move Forward 00:05:00.934 --> 00:05:04.334 Capitol Hill was a flurry of activity as committees in both chambers 00:05:04.334 --> 00:05:08.174 advanced the essential legislation that funds and authorizes the military. 00:05:08.530 --> 00:05:14.020 On July 11, House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and 00:05:14.020 --> 00:05:18.670 Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) announced that the committee will hold its markup 00:05:18.670 --> 00:05:26.330 for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on July 15, 2025. 00:05:27.130 --> 00:05:30.250 This is the critical annual process that sets policy for the 00:05:30.250 --> 00:05:31.940 entire Department of Defense. 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:36.120 Its Senate counterpart, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), 00:05:36.330 --> 00:05:40.330 held a series of closed-door markup sessions for its version of the bill 00:05:40.330 --> 00:05:45.200 between July 8 and July 10, indicating sensitive negotiations are well underway. 00:05:45.542 --> 00:05:48.072 Meanwhile, the massive reconciliation bill, H.R. 00:05:48.072 --> 00:05:52.282 1 or the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which passed the Senate on July 3, 00:05:52.572 --> 00:05:56.692 contains major funding provisions for the military under its Armed Services title. 00:05:57.152 --> 00:06:00.322 These include supplemental funds for the Basic Allowance for Housing 00:06:00.452 --> 00:06:04.672 (BAH), increased funding for tuition assistance and childcare, money 00:06:04.672 --> 00:06:08.702 for the Marine Corps Barracks 2030 initiative, and, as mentioned, funding 00:06:08.702 --> 00:06:11.442 to expand the small UAS industrial base. 00:06:11.708 --> 00:06:14.888 The key legislative actions from the week affecting the military and 00:06:14.888 --> 00:06:16.948 veteran community are summarized below. 00:06:17.327 --> 00:06:21.057 The SPEED and National Defense Authorization Act for FY26 markup 00:06:21.127 --> 00:06:24.847 announced for July 15, 2025, by HASC. 00:06:25.277 --> 00:06:29.337 This will set policy and authorize spending for all DoD programs, 00:06:29.437 --> 00:06:32.747 including pay raises, quality of life, and weapons systems. 00:06:33.287 --> 00:06:37.467 One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed the Senate on July 3, 2025. 00:06:37.847 --> 00:06:41.747 It is a reconciliation bill with major funding increases for military housing, 00:06:41.817 --> 00:06:44.147 childcare, and the drone industrial base. 00:06:44.477 --> 00:06:46.617 It also affects federal employee taxes. 00:06:46.936 --> 00:06:51.536 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2026 was 00:06:51.536 --> 00:06:55.446 passed by the House on June 25 and Referred to Senate Appropriations. 00:06:55.936 --> 00:06:59.056 It provides the actual funding for all military construction 00:06:59.056 --> 00:07:02.296 projects and the entire Department of Veterans Affairs budget. 00:07:02.653 --> 00:07:06.703 The BRAVE Act of 2025 was introduced in the Senate and referred to committee. 00:07:07.123 --> 00:07:10.113 It aims to improve VA mental health services and Vet Center 00:07:10.113 --> 00:07:11.573 infrastructure and outreach. 00:07:11.921 --> 00:07:13.681 New Benefits and TRICARE Updates 00:07:13.918 --> 00:07:18.418 On July 10, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it is 00:07:18.418 --> 00:07:22.678 rolling out new benefits for military personnel, including dedicated security 00:07:22.678 --> 00:07:26.868 lines at airports, discounts on PreCheck, and free PreCheck for families who have 00:07:26.868 --> 00:07:28.868 lost a service member in the line of duty. 00:07:29.256 --> 00:07:31.886 TRICARE also issued several important updates. 00:07:32.316 --> 00:07:36.846 On July 8, it published a Q&A to guide new parents through the process of getting 00:07:36.846 --> 00:07:38.846 TRICARE coverage for a newborn baby. 00:07:39.286 --> 00:07:43.096 A critical reminder was also issued to beneficiaries in the TRICARE West 00:07:43.096 --> 00:07:46.816 Region: a waiver that had allowed easier access to specialty care 00:07:46.816 --> 00:07:49.916 referrals expired on June 30, 2025. 00:07:50.576 --> 00:07:54.646 As of July 1, all TRICARE Prime beneficiaries in the West Region 00:07:54.646 --> 00:07:58.736 must follow normal referral processes to avoid incurring point-of-service 00:07:58.766 --> 00:08:00.956 charges or other out-of-pocket costs. 00:08:01.446 --> 00:08:05.006 Finally, the TRICARE Operations Manual was updated on July 8 with 00:08:05.006 --> 00:08:09.066 Change 44, which pertains to new online training applications. 00:08:09.463 --> 00:08:11.513 Global Engagements and Domestic Operations 00:08:11.868 --> 00:08:12.278 The U.S. 00:08:12.278 --> 00:08:15.738 military's global posture and domestic activities remained robust. 00:08:16.228 --> 00:08:20.008 On July 11, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress 00:08:20.008 --> 00:08:25.758 of two potential major foreign military sales: HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters 00:08:25.758 --> 00:08:27.968 to Norway for an estimated $2.6 00:08:28.048 --> 00:08:32.188 billion and sustainment support for Lebanon's A-29 Super Tucano 00:08:32.188 --> 00:08:33.628 aircraft for $100 million. 00:08:34.398 --> 00:08:36.538 Support for Ukraine continues to be a focus. 00:08:36.968 --> 00:08:39.878 HASC Chairman Rogers praised the administration's decision 00:08:39.878 --> 00:08:43.558 to resume military aid to the country , and on July 8, the U.S. 00:08:43.558 --> 00:08:47.418 Army Corps of Engineers announced it would formalize cooperation with Ukraine's 00:08:47.418 --> 00:08:51.008 State Special Transport Service to assist with infrastructure development. 00:08:51.538 --> 00:08:54.968 These diplomatic and material efforts occurred as reports from the region 00:08:54.968 --> 00:08:59.398 detailed continued Russian drone attacks and Ukrainian counter-operations. 00:08:59.728 --> 00:09:02.768 At home, the Army National Guard and Reserve components were active. 00:09:03.178 --> 00:09:06.978 News from the week included a Colorado Guard Soldier receiving the Soldier's 00:09:06.978 --> 00:09:10.798 Medal for heroism, the Idaho Guard conducting two successful rescue 00:09:10.798 --> 00:09:14.678 missions, and the Army Reserve being honored at a Chicago White Sox game. 00:09:14.986 --> 00:09:16.906 Issues That Affect Retired Military 00:09:17.256 --> 00:09:21.656 For the military retiree community, the week was defined by a major, long-awaited 00:09:21.706 --> 00:09:26.016 correction to a retirement benefit inequity and further clarification on the 00:09:26.016 --> 00:09:27.816 financial outlook for the coming year. 00:09:28.129 --> 00:09:31.849 Major Win for National Guard - Early Retirement Credit Made Retroactive 00:09:32.226 --> 00:09:36.276 In a landmark decision announced on July 7, the Pentagon formally directed 00:09:36.276 --> 00:09:40.756 that Army National Guard soldiers mobilized under the 12304b authority 00:09:40.986 --> 00:09:45.356 will receive credit toward early retirement retroactively to 2012. 00:09:46.126 --> 00:09:50.206 This decision is the culmination of a multi-year advocacy campaign and 00:09:50.206 --> 00:09:54.316 represents a significant financial victory for tens of thousands of reservists. 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:59.080 The issue stemmed from the creation of the 12304b mobilization authority 00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:04.650 in the FY2012 NDAA, which, unlike other mobilization authorities, did 00:10:04.650 --> 00:10:07.780 not initially include provisions for early retirement credit. 00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:12.540 This created a frustrating inequity where some overseas deployments counted toward 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:15.090 an earlier pension, while others did not. 00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:19.840 The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) led a persistent 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:23.850 lobbying effort to fix this disparity, first succeeding in getting Congress 00:10:23.850 --> 00:10:26.660 to add the credit in the FY2020 NDAA. 00:10:26.970 --> 00:10:28.830 However, the battle was not over. 00:10:29.150 --> 00:10:33.730 Army Human Resources Command continued to deny retroactive credit for any service 00:10:33.730 --> 00:10:38.240 performed before the 2019 enactment date of that law, effectively nullifying 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:40.110 the benefit for years of deployments. 00:10:40.730 --> 00:10:44.910 Undeterred, NGAUS continued to press the issue with DoD officials and 00:10:44.910 --> 00:10:46.520 the Army's Judge Advocate General. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.280 The result is a new memo from Stephanie P. 00:10:49.280 --> 00:10:52.470 Miller, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military 00:10:52.470 --> 00:10:55.600 Personnel Policy, which finally corrects the misinterpretation 00:10:55.670 --> 00:10:57.310 and makes the benefit retroactive. 00:10:57.810 --> 00:11:01.150 For affected Guard and Reserve members, this means they can now receive their 00:11:01.150 --> 00:11:05.450 retirement pension three months earlier than the traditional age of 60 for every 00:11:05.450 --> 00:11:10.000 90-day period of qualifying active duty, potentially accelerating their receipt 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:11.900 of retirement pay by several years. 00:11:12.251 --> 00:11:15.551 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and Pension Details 00:11:15.956 --> 00:11:20.106 The 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for military retirement pay 00:11:20.286 --> 00:11:25.676 and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities has been finalized at 2.5%. 00:11:26.086 --> 00:11:29.786 This increase, tied to the Consumer Price Index, is intended to help 00:11:29.786 --> 00:11:31.606 benefits keep pace with inflation. 00:11:32.071 --> 00:11:37.591 For most retirees, this will translate to a $25 increase for every $1,000 of 00:11:37.591 --> 00:11:39.501 monthly retirement pay they receive. 00:11:39.981 --> 00:11:44.761 However, for those under the CSB/REDUX retirement plan, the COLA is calculated 00:11:44.761 --> 00:11:49.981 at one percentage point less than the full CPI, resulting in a 1.5% 00:11:49.981 --> 00:11:53.841 increase, or $15 per $1,000 of retired pay. 00:11:54.461 --> 00:11:57.471 Military retirement pay for the month of June was delivered on July 00:11:57.471 --> 00:12:02.931 1, 2025, and the July payment is scheduled to arrive on August 1, 2025. 00:12:03.464 --> 00:12:05.314 TRICARE and Health Benefits in Retirement 00:12:05.673 --> 00:12:09.233 Retirees are reminded that a smooth transition to post-service 00:12:09.233 --> 00:12:11.653 healthcare requires proactive steps. 00:12:12.093 --> 00:12:15.783 This includes updating their information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility 00:12:15.783 --> 00:12:20.703 Reporting System (DEERS), obtaining new Uniformed Services ID cards, and 00:12:20.733 --> 00:12:25.273 actively enrolling in a TRICARE plan, such as TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select, 00:12:25.643 --> 00:12:29.863 within 90 days of their retirement date to avoid any gaps in coverage. 00:12:30.183 --> 00:12:34.803 With the TRICARE regional contracts having changed in 2025, retirees 00:12:34.803 --> 00:12:38.273 in the West Region are now served by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. 00:12:38.743 --> 00:12:42.793 Those who pay their premiums via electronic funds transfer or credit/debit 00:12:42.853 --> 00:12:47.403 card must ensure their payment information has been updated directly with TriWest 00:12:47.613 --> 00:12:49.293 to maintain continuous coverage. 00:12:49.713 --> 00:12:55.223 Additionally, a provision in the FY2025 NDAA (Section 704) expanded 00:12:55.263 --> 00:12:58.563 eligibility for hearing aids to include the children of retired 00:12:58.563 --> 00:13:02.803 members enrolled in TRICARE Select, a positive change for military families. 00:13:03.069 --> 00:13:04.919 Issues That Affect Veteran's Affairs 00:13:05.322 --> 00:13:08.372 The Department of Veterans Affairs presented a complex and often 00:13:08.372 --> 00:13:11.962 contradictory picture this week, announcing major administrative 00:13:11.962 --> 00:13:16.592 changes and workforce reductions while simultaneously rolling out new benefits 00:13:16.802 --> 00:13:18.792 and celebrating record productivity. 00:13:19.141 --> 00:13:22.801 VA to Cut 30,000 Jobs, Sparking Concerns Over Service Quality 00:13:23.115 --> 00:13:26.835 On July 7, the VA confirmed its plan to reduce its total workforce 00:13:27.005 --> 00:13:30.865 by nearly 30,000 employees by the end of fiscal year 2025. 00:13:31.445 --> 00:13:34.875 The department stated the reduction would be achieved primarily through attrition. 00:13:35.355 --> 00:13:39.295 This announcement immediately drew sharp criticism from veteran advocacy groups. 00:13:39.735 --> 00:13:43.645 The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) released findings from a recent 00:13:43.645 --> 00:13:47.205 survey indicating that veterans are already experiencing increased 00:13:47.205 --> 00:13:50.685 wait times for appointments and inconsistent customer service. 00:13:51.085 --> 00:13:55.255 The FRA warned that these problems are likely to be exacerbated by the staffing 00:13:55.255 --> 00:13:59.515 cuts, directly challenging the VA's assurances that all "mission-critical" 00:13:59.515 --> 00:14:00.935 positions would be protected. 00:14:01.348 --> 00:14:04.448 This move appears to be part of a high-risk, corporate-style 00:14:04.448 --> 00:14:05.868 "shrink to grow" strategy. 00:14:06.348 --> 00:14:10.388 The VA's official justification is that it can achieve greater efficiency 00:14:10.448 --> 00:14:14.338 by consolidating administrative functions like IT, procurement, and 00:14:14.338 --> 00:14:16.408 budgeting across its vast enterprise. 00:14:16.918 --> 00:14:19.968 In theory, these back-office savings are meant to allow the 00:14:19.968 --> 00:14:21.758 department to do more with less. 00:14:22.078 --> 00:14:26.088 However, the ground-level data from the FRA survey suggests that 00:14:26.118 --> 00:14:29.928 these "efficiency" cuts are already being felt at the point of care. 00:14:30.458 --> 00:14:34.858 This strategy risks a significant degradation in service delivery if the 00:14:34.858 --> 00:14:38.908 projected administrative efficiencies fail to materialize or if the cuts 00:14:38.908 --> 00:14:43.158 inadvertently bleed into mission-critical healthcare and benefits processing roles. 00:14:43.578 --> 00:14:47.148 The record-setting claims processing numbers touted by the VA this week 00:14:47.218 --> 00:14:50.978 could prove to be a temporary surge from clearing backlogs, a pace 00:14:50.978 --> 00:14:54.318 that may be unsustainable with a significantly smaller workforce. 00:14:54.694 --> 00:14:56.634 New and Expanded VA Benefits Announced 00:14:56.933 --> 00:14:59.903 Even as it planned for a smaller workforce, the VA announced 00:14:59.903 --> 00:15:03.133 several new and expanded benefits for veterans and their families. 00:15:03.491 --> 00:15:06.951 On July 10, the department announced a temporary expansion of burial 00:15:06.951 --> 00:15:10.931 benefits, authorized by the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans 00:15:10.931 --> 00:15:12.691 Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. 00:15:13.221 --> 00:15:16.001 This new provision addresses a long-standing gap in coverage. 00:15:16.321 --> 00:15:19.561 It ensures that veterans who are discharged from a VA facility to 00:15:19.561 --> 00:15:23.561 receive VA-provided hospice care at home, and who pass away between July 00:15:23.561 --> 00:15:29.671 1, 2025, and October 1, 2026, will be eligible for a full VA burial allowance. 00:15:29.972 --> 00:15:35.742 Effective July 1, 2025, the VA also automatically discounted premiums 00:15:35.742 --> 00:15:39.672 for several life insurance programs, including Servicemembers' Group Life 00:15:39.672 --> 00:15:46.302 Insurance (SGLI), Family SGLI (FSGLI), and Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI), 00:15:46.692 --> 00:15:50.742 providing direct financial relief to millions of service members and veterans. 00:15:51.322 --> 00:15:54.812 At the state level, the Florida Veterans Foundation announced the continuation 00:15:54.812 --> 00:15:59.852 of its statewide Veterans Dental Program into 2026, providing crucial support 00:15:59.852 --> 00:16:03.712 for a healthcare need that is often not covered by standard VA benefits. 00:16:03.983 --> 00:16:06.323 Legislative Action and Disability Compensation 00:16:06.670 --> 00:16:09.990 The funding and oversight of the VA remained a key focus in Congress. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:14.080 The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:16.840 Appropriations Act for 2026 (H.R. 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:21.450 3944), which has already passed the House, is the legislation that provides 00:16:21.450 --> 00:16:24.080 the actual funding for all VA programs. 00:16:24.450 --> 00:16:27.110 Its progress through the Senate will be critical for the 00:16:27.110 --> 00:16:28.860 VA's entire budget next year. 00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:32.640 In addition, a new bill, the BRAVE Act of 2025 (S. 00:16:32.640 --> 00:16:36.950 609), was introduced in the Senate to improve VA mental health services 00:16:36.950 --> 00:16:40.890 by enhancing Vet Center outreach and improving coordination with the DoD 00:16:40.890 --> 00:16:42.550 for transitioning service members. 00:16:42.913 --> 00:16:45.183 For disabled veterans, the 2.5% 00:16:45.183 --> 00:16:49.013 COLA will directly increase their monthly disability compensation payments. 00:16:49.324 --> 00:16:51.154 VA Operations and Infrastructure 00:16:51.444 --> 00:16:54.564 On the ground, the VA continued its work to modernize and serve. 00:16:55.034 --> 00:16:59.154 On July 12, the Houston VA broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art outpatient 00:16:59.154 --> 00:17:02.884 clinic in Beaumont, a facility that will nearly double the size of the 00:17:02.884 --> 00:17:06.464 current clinic and offer a more comprehensive range of health services. 00:17:06.814 --> 00:17:10.664 The department also continues to process a historic number of claims related to 00:17:10.664 --> 00:17:13.584 the PACT Act, having approved over 1.1 00:17:13.584 --> 00:17:16.494 million such claims as of July 2024. 00:17:17.024 --> 00:17:19.634 Veterans were also advised that the main VA.gov 00:17:19.634 --> 00:17:22.454 website would undergo scheduled maintenance from the evening of 00:17:22.454 --> 00:17:27.184 Friday, July 11, through the afternoon of Sunday, July 13, potentially 00:17:27.184 --> 00:17:29.224 affecting access to online services. 00:17:29.601 --> 00:17:30.801 And that's your Weekly Briefing. 00:17:31.231 --> 00:17:34.801 Staying on top of these changes is key to navigating your career, 00:17:34.901 --> 00:17:36.781 your retirement, and your benefits. 00:17:37.108 --> 00:17:38.038 Thank you for tuning in. 00:17:38.378 --> 00:17:42.248 Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an update. 00:17:42.698 --> 00:17:46.158 We’ll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most 00:17:46.348 --> 00:17:48.368 to the military and veteran community.