WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.029 --> 00:00:05.480 Edward: Welcome to the MIL News Weekly for 21-27 December 2025, your essential 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:09.000 guide to the latest news impacting the military and veteran community. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:13.439 Whether you're currently serving in uniform, a military retiree, a veteran, 00:00:13.630 --> 00:00:17.729 or a family member, this is your source for the critical updates you need to know. 00:00:18.105 --> 00:00:21.635 Each week, we cut through the noise to bring you the most important developments 00:00:21.635 --> 00:00:25.045 from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 00:00:25.505 --> 00:00:28.535 We’ll cover everything from new policies and pay raises affecting 00:00:28.535 --> 00:00:32.225 active and reserve forces, to changes in healthcare and benefits for 00:00:32.225 --> 00:00:36.915 retirees, and the latest on VA services and legislation for our veterans. 00:00:37.365 --> 00:00:38.315 Let's get you informed. 00:00:38.585 --> 00:00:40.125 Here’s what’s happened this past week. 00:00:40.449 --> 00:00:43.269 Issues That Affect Active and Reserve Military Personnel 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:46.800 The "Warrior Dividend": Financial Morale in the Holiday Season 00:00:47.262 --> 00:00:50.642 Perhaps the most tangible development for individual service members during 00:00:50.642 --> 00:00:53.432 this period was the distribution of the "Warrior Dividend." 00:00:53.902 --> 00:00:57.232 Announced by President Trump in a televised address on December 18, 00:00:57.342 --> 00:01:01.442 2025, the payments began hitting bank accounts during the week of December 00:01:01.442 --> 00:01:05.752 21, providing a significant financial boost just before the Christmas holiday. 00:01:06.107 --> 00:01:11.507 The dividend consisted of a one-time, tax-free payment of $1,776. 00:01:12.097 --> 00:01:15.777 This specific amount was chosen for its symbolic resonance, commemorating 00:01:15.777 --> 00:01:19.087 the year of the nation’s founding and intended to honor the revolutionary 00:01:19.087 --> 00:01:20.787 spirit of the American military. 00:01:21.267 --> 00:01:24.547 The payment was distributed to approximately 1.45 00:01:24.547 --> 00:01:28.517 million service members, a massive logistical undertaking executed by the 00:01:28.517 --> 00:01:32.537 Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) on an accelerated timeline. 00:01:32.919 --> 00:01:37.029 Eligibility for the dividend was strictly defined to target the operational force. 00:01:37.459 --> 00:01:41.919 Active duty service members in pay grades O-6 (Colonel/Navy Captain) and 00:01:41.919 --> 00:01:43.759 below were the primary recipients. 00:01:44.179 --> 00:01:48.179 Importantly, the administration extended eligibility to members of the Reserve 00:01:48.209 --> 00:01:51.919 Component—the National Guard and Reserves—but with a specific caveat: 00:01:52.269 --> 00:01:55.969 reservists must have been serving on active duty orders for a period 00:01:55.969 --> 00:02:00.359 of at least thirty-one consecutive days as of November 30, 2025. 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:05.339 This criteria excluded traditional drilling reservists who were not mobilized 00:02:05.339 --> 00:02:09.149 during that specific window, a distinction that has led to some confusion and 00:02:09.149 --> 00:02:10.839 inquiries within the reserve community. 00:02:11.242 --> 00:02:14.412 The funding mechanism for this multi-billion dollar payout has been 00:02:14.412 --> 00:02:17.752 a subject of significant scrutiny and legislative maneuvering. 00:02:18.222 --> 00:02:21.152 While political rhetoric initially linked the dividend to revenue 00:02:21.152 --> 00:02:25.082 generated from increased tariffs, Pentagon officials clarified the actual 00:02:25.082 --> 00:02:26.802 budgetary source during this week. 00:02:27.382 --> 00:02:30.202 The funds were derived from a reallocation of a $2.9 00:02:30.202 --> 00:02:33.722 billion military housing supplement that had been included in the broader 00:02:33.722 --> 00:02:37.642 budget reconciliation package known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." 00:02:38.042 --> 00:02:39.482 Approximately $2.6 00:02:39.482 --> 00:02:43.282 billion of this housing-specific appropriation was reprogrammed 00:02:43.502 --> 00:02:44.982 to finance the direct payments. 00:02:45.339 --> 00:02:49.169 To execute this legally, the Department of War classified the dividend within 00:02:49.169 --> 00:02:54.099 the pay system as a "housing allowance supplement," despite it being a flat-rate 00:02:54.149 --> 00:02:58.609 cash payment unrelated to a member's location or actual housing costs. 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:03.269 This classification was crucial for two reasons: it allowed the administration 00:03:03.269 --> 00:03:07.759 to utilize the housing-designated funds without new legislation, and it ensured 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:11.979 the payments remained non-taxable, maximizing the net benefit to the troops. 00:03:12.689 --> 00:03:17.009 Critics in the housing advocacy sector have raised concerns that diverting $2.6 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:21.209 billion from housing sustainment could delay critical maintenance on aging 00:03:21.209 --> 00:03:23.129 barracks and family housing units. 00:03:23.579 --> 00:03:27.389 However, the administration has countered that immediate financial relief to 00:03:27.389 --> 00:03:31.279 military families struggling with inflation is a form of housing support, 00:03:31.629 --> 00:03:35.299 enabling them to better meet their living expenses during the holiday season. 00:03:35.650 --> 00:03:38.100 Operation Hawkeye and Escalation in the Middle East 00:03:38.493 --> 00:03:41.713 While financial and administrative changes dominated the domestic news 00:03:41.713 --> 00:03:46.203 cycle, US forces abroad were engaged in high-intensity combat operations. 00:03:46.693 --> 00:03:50.093 The most significant of these was "Operation Hawkeye," a major 00:03:50.093 --> 00:03:52.003 offensive campaign launched in Syria. 00:03:52.378 --> 00:03:55.468 Following a deadly ambush earlier in the month that resulted in US 00:03:55.468 --> 00:04:00.378 casualties, US Central Command (CENTCOM) initiated a widespread retaliatory 00:04:00.378 --> 00:04:05.078 and clearance operation commencing on December 20, 2025, and continuing with 00:04:05.078 --> 00:04:06.998 high intensity through December 27. 00:04:07.718 --> 00:04:11.588 The operation targeted the resurgent networks of the Islamic State (ISIS), 00:04:11.798 --> 00:04:15.218 specifically focusing on their infrastructure, command nodes, and 00:04:15.218 --> 00:04:17.008 logistics hubs in the Syrian desert. 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:20.269 Operation Hawkeye represents a significant escalation in the 00:04:20.269 --> 00:04:23.969 counter-ISIS mission, involving coordinated air strikes from advanced 00:04:23.969 --> 00:04:25.989 platforms and heavy artillery barrages. 00:04:26.529 --> 00:04:29.809 Unlike previous precision strikes that targeted individual leaders, 00:04:30.099 --> 00:04:33.999 this operation aimed to degrade the systemic capability of ISIS to project 00:04:33.999 --> 00:04:36.339 power or threaten American personnel. 00:04:36.859 --> 00:04:39.979 Reports from the theater indicate that the operation successfully 00:04:39.979 --> 00:04:44.169 neutralized significant enemy combatant numbers and destroyed key tunnel 00:04:44.169 --> 00:04:46.329 complexes used for caching weapons. 00:04:46.687 --> 00:04:50.237 The necessity of Operation Hawkeye underscores the fragile security 00:04:50.237 --> 00:04:51.597 environment in the Middle East. 00:04:52.077 --> 00:04:56.217 Despite the strategic desire to pivot resources toward the Indo-Pacific theater, 00:04:56.547 --> 00:05:00.567 the Department of War finds itself drawn back into kinetic engagement in 00:05:00.567 --> 00:05:05.197 Syria to protect its deployed forces and prevent a terrorist reconstitution. 00:05:05.787 --> 00:05:09.657 For active duty personnel deployed to the CENTCOM area of responsibility, 00:05:10.017 --> 00:05:14.087 this has meant a cancellation of holiday leave, increased force protection 00:05:14.087 --> 00:05:17.997 postures, and a heightened operational tempo not seen in several years. 00:05:18.282 --> 00:05:20.982 Operation Southern Spear: The Venezuelan "Quarantine" 00:05:21.317 --> 00:05:25.767 Simultaneously, the US military has opened a new front of quasi-conflict 00:05:25.767 --> 00:05:26.867 in the Western Hemisphere. 00:05:27.417 --> 00:05:31.327 Under the banner of a "War on Drug Cartels," the Trump administration has 00:05:31.327 --> 00:05:35.767 directed a massive surge of naval and air assets to the Caribbean Sea and the 00:05:35.767 --> 00:05:39.577 Eastern Pacific, focusing specifically on the coastline of Venezuela. 00:05:39.973 --> 00:05:44.853 During the week of December 21 to December 27, 2025, these operations, 00:05:44.903 --> 00:05:49.593 collectively referred to as "Operation Southern Spear," intensified into what 00:05:49.593 --> 00:05:53.453 the administration calls a "quarantine" and what the Venezuelan government 00:05:53.453 --> 00:05:55.423 has decried as a naval blockade. 00:05:55.793 --> 00:05:59.343 The stated objective is to interdict vessels suspected of smuggling 00:05:59.343 --> 00:06:03.793 narcotics or exporting Venezuelan oil in violation of US sanctions. 00:06:04.158 --> 00:06:07.268 The rules of engagement for this operation have been notably aggressive. 00:06:07.608 --> 00:06:11.568 Since September, US forces have carried out dozens of strikes on maritime 00:06:11.568 --> 00:06:16.028 vessels, resulting in over one hundred fatalities among suspected smugglers. 00:06:16.568 --> 00:06:20.068 During this reporting period, the White House ordered the military to focus 00:06:20.168 --> 00:06:24.048 almost exclusively on enforcing this quarantine for the next two months, 00:06:24.348 --> 00:06:27.788 effectively redirecting Coast Guard and Navy assets from other missions. 00:06:28.174 --> 00:06:31.464 This aggressive posture has precipitated a diplomatic crisis at 00:06:31.464 --> 00:06:35.774 the United Nations, where Venezuela’s ambassador condemned the US actions 00:06:35.834 --> 00:06:37.804 as illegal aggression and piracy. 00:06:38.224 --> 00:06:42.114 Furthermore, it has triggered legislative pushback within the United States. 00:06:42.824 --> 00:06:48.114 The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which became 00:06:48.114 --> 00:06:52.694 law just prior to this week, contains a specific provision mandating that 00:06:52.694 --> 00:06:56.554 the Pentagon release unedited footage of these boat strikes to Congress. 00:06:57.204 --> 00:07:00.674 This demand reflects bipartisan concern regarding the legality of 00:07:00.674 --> 00:07:04.664 using lethal military force against civilian vessels in international waters 00:07:04.874 --> 00:07:06.794 without a formal declaration of war. 00:07:07.114 --> 00:07:11.374 To force compliance, Congress has frozen twenty-five percent of the Secretary of 00:07:11.374 --> 00:07:15.374 War’s travel budget until the footage is provided—a standoff that escalated 00:07:15.374 --> 00:07:19.234 during the week as Secretary Hegseth initially rejected calls to release 00:07:19.234 --> 00:07:21.334 the video, citing operational security. 00:07:21.657 --> 00:07:27.137 Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Implementation 00:07:27.508 --> 00:07:30.698 The statutory landscape for the military was solidified this week 00:07:30.698 --> 00:07:34.888 with the immediate implementation of the Fiscal Year 2026 National 00:07:34.888 --> 00:07:36.468 Defense Authorization Act. 00:07:36.998 --> 00:07:42.098 Signed into law on December 18, 2025, the effects of this $900.6 00:07:42.098 --> 00:07:45.628 billion legislation began to take concrete shape for the force 00:07:45.628 --> 00:07:47.228 during the week of December 21. 00:07:47.663 --> 00:07:48.603 Pay and Allowances 00:07:48.870 --> 00:07:51.310 The NDAA codified a 3.8 00:07:51.310 --> 00:07:55.530 percent increase in basic pay for all active duty, Guard, and Reserve 00:07:55.530 --> 00:08:00.170 personnel, which is set to appear in the first paychecks of January 2026. 00:08:00.810 --> 00:08:04.470 This raise is designed to match the Employment Cost Index, ensuring that 00:08:04.470 --> 00:08:08.020 military compensation keeps pace with private-sector wage growth. 00:08:08.400 --> 00:08:12.940 In addition to the basic pay hike, the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) 00:08:13.170 --> 00:08:15.900 was adjusted upward by approximately 2.4 00:08:15.900 --> 00:08:16.320 percent. 00:08:16.830 --> 00:08:21.520 Enlisted members will now receive roughly $476.95 00:08:21.590 --> 00:08:25.460 per month, while officers will receive $328.48. 00:08:25.724 --> 00:08:29.674 Furthermore, the Family Separation Allowance (FSA), paid to service 00:08:29.674 --> 00:08:33.044 members who are deployed or stationed away from their dependents for more 00:08:33.044 --> 00:08:38.564 than thirty days, was increased from $250 to $300 per month. 00:08:39.154 --> 00:08:43.174 This is the first significant increase in FSA in years, recognizing 00:08:43.174 --> 00:08:46.414 the financial and emotional strain placed on families during extended 00:08:46.414 --> 00:08:49.594 deployments like those currently underway in Syria and the Caribbean. 00:08:50.042 --> 00:08:52.822 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Adjustments 00:08:53.077 --> 00:08:56.177 Complementing the NDAA's pay provisions, the Department of War 00:08:56.177 --> 00:09:00.437 released the finalized 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing rates, which 00:09:00.437 --> 00:09:03.347 go into effect on January 01, 2026. 00:09:03.817 --> 00:09:06.977 The new rates reflect an average nationwide increase of 4.2 00:09:06.977 --> 00:09:07.397 percent. 00:09:07.927 --> 00:09:10.987 This adjustment is based on rental cost data collected from nearly 00:09:10.987 --> 00:09:14.337 three hundred military housing areas across the United States. 00:09:14.681 --> 00:09:18.031 It is crucial for active duty personnel to understand the mechanism 00:09:18.031 --> 00:09:20.971 of "rate protection" emphasized in this week's announcements. 00:09:21.481 --> 00:09:25.191 If a service member is already residing in a location where the BAH rate is 00:09:25.191 --> 00:09:29.361 scheduled to decrease in 2026 due to falling local rental markets, 00:09:29.531 --> 00:09:31.141 their allowance will not be reduced. 00:09:31.471 --> 00:09:34.171 They will continue to receive the higher, previous rate. 00:09:34.621 --> 00:09:38.831 Conversely, members in areas where rates have risen will see the full 4.2 00:09:38.831 --> 00:09:43.621 percent (or higher, depending on locality) increase in their January pay. 00:09:44.161 --> 00:09:48.251 This dual-protection mechanism ensures financial stability for families who 00:09:48.251 --> 00:09:51.001 have signed leases based on 2025 rates. 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:53.299 Strategic Force Posture Limitations 00:09:53.644 --> 00:09:58.154 The NDAA also introduced significant constraints on the executive branch's 00:09:58.154 --> 00:10:00.524 ability to alter the global force posture. 00:10:01.004 --> 00:10:04.764 Specifically, Congress has prohibited the use of any funds to reduce the 00:10:04.764 --> 00:10:09.524 number of United States troops stationed in Europe below a baseline of 76,000. 00:10:10.334 --> 00:10:13.214 This provision serves as a legislative guardrail against the 00:10:13.214 --> 00:10:16.644 administration's stated skepticism regarding NATO commitments. 00:10:17.124 --> 00:10:21.184 It requires the Secretary of War to submit a detailed impact report and 00:10:21.184 --> 00:10:25.054 certify that any proposed reduction would not harm national security 00:10:25.054 --> 00:10:28.344 or alliance cohesion before such a move could be legally funded. 00:10:28.707 --> 00:10:33.737 Additionally, the Act authorized $175 million for the Baltic Security 00:10:33.737 --> 00:10:37.707 Initiative, restoring funding that the Pentagon had initially proposed cutting. 00:10:38.277 --> 00:10:42.287 This ensures continued military cooperation with Estonia, Latvia, 00:10:42.327 --> 00:10:46.337 and Lithuania, maintaining a robust deterrent presence on NATO’s 00:10:46.377 --> 00:10:49.267 eastern flank despite the shifting rhetoric from the White House. 00:10:49.555 --> 00:10:51.995 Issues That Affect Retired Military Personnel 00:10:52.308 --> 00:10:55.268 For the community of retired military personnel, the week of December 00:10:55.268 --> 00:11:00.248 21 through 27, 2025, was defined by the finalization of economic 00:11:00.248 --> 00:11:03.838 adjustments that will dictate their financial reality in the coming year. 00:11:04.308 --> 00:11:08.778 The news is a mixed ledger: a modest cost-of-living increase stands in contrast 00:11:08.778 --> 00:11:13.048 to rising healthcare fees, while new legislative protections offer a safety 00:11:13.048 --> 00:11:15.208 net for those facing housing instability. 00:11:15.594 --> 00:11:19.094 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Finalized 00:11:19.409 --> 00:11:22.839 Effective December 01, 2025, and reflected in the payments 00:11:22.839 --> 00:11:28.119 distributed on December 31, 2025, military retirees will receive a 2.8 00:11:28.119 --> 00:11:29.729 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment. 00:11:30.249 --> 00:11:33.479 This adjustment is legally tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban 00:11:33.479 --> 00:11:37.429 Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), measuring inflation over the 00:11:37.429 --> 00:11:38.979 third quarter of the previous year. 00:11:39.305 --> 00:11:41.605 It is important to distinguish this retiree COLA from 00:11:41.605 --> 00:11:42.945 the active duty pay raise. 00:11:43.315 --> 00:11:45.805 While active duty troops received a 3.8 00:11:45.805 --> 00:11:48.775 percent raise based on wage growth (the Employment Cost 00:11:48.775 --> 00:11:51.435 Index), retirees receive a 2.8 00:11:51.435 --> 00:11:53.545 percent increase based on price inflation. 00:11:54.025 --> 00:11:54.905 This 1.0 00:11:54.905 --> 00:11:58.425 percent divergence highlights a growing gap between the compensation growth 00:11:58.425 --> 00:12:00.265 of current and past service members. 00:12:00.545 --> 00:12:03.425 For a military retiree receiving a standard pension check of 00:12:03.425 --> 00:12:06.165 $3,000 per month, this 2.8 00:12:06.165 --> 00:12:09.435 percent increase translates to an additional $84.00 00:12:09.475 --> 00:12:09.945 monthly. 00:12:10.435 --> 00:12:14.115 While this adjustment is intended to maintain purchasing power, many veteran 00:12:14.115 --> 00:12:17.985 advocacy groups have noted throughout the week that it may not fully offset 00:12:17.985 --> 00:12:21.885 the rising costs of specific goods and services that disproportionately 00:12:21.885 --> 00:12:25.145 affect older populations, particularly healthcare and housing. 00:12:25.589 --> 00:12:28.799 TRICARE 2026: Fee Structures and Cost Increases 00:12:29.115 --> 00:12:33.865 As retirees prepare for the new calendar year, they face a revised fee structure 00:12:33.865 --> 00:12:38.075 for TRICARE coverage that will absorb a portion of their COLA increase. 00:12:38.545 --> 00:12:43.195 The Department of War released the final fee schedules for 2026, detailing 00:12:43.195 --> 00:12:47.795 increases across enrollment fees, deductibles, and catastrophic caps. 00:12:48.156 --> 00:12:49.316 Enrollment Fee Hikes 00:12:49.569 --> 00:12:53.959 For retirees classified as "Group A" (those whose initial enlistment or 00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:58.239 appointment occurred before January 01, 2018), the annual enrollment 00:12:58.239 --> 00:13:00.359 fee for TRICARE Prime has increased. 00:13:00.909 --> 00:13:05.089 An individual retiree will now pay $381.96 00:13:05.089 --> 00:13:08.689 annually, up from $372.00. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:16.299 For a retiree and their family, the annual Prime enrollment fee has risen to $765.00, 00:13:16.689 --> 00:13:19.079 an increase from $744.00. 00:13:19.549 --> 00:13:23.559 Retirees in "Group B" (those who joined on or after January 01, 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:26.129 2018) continue to face higher costs. 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:29.889 A Group B family enrolled in TRICARE Prime will see their annual fee 00:13:29.889 --> 00:13:33.189 rise to approximately $927.00. 00:13:33.547 --> 00:13:37.077 For those utilizing TRICARE Select, the increases are also notable. 00:13:37.527 --> 00:13:42.077 The Group A family enrollment fee has climbed to $1,191.00 00:13:42.137 --> 00:13:43.517 for the year 2026. 00:13:44.127 --> 00:13:48.207 These incremental increases, while seemingly small in isolation, represent 00:13:48.207 --> 00:13:51.207 a continuing trend of shifting a higher percentage of healthcare 00:13:51.207 --> 00:13:53.337 costs onto the retiree population. 00:13:53.722 --> 00:13:54.982 Copayments and Deductibles 00:13:55.384 --> 00:13:58.004 The cost of care at the point of service is also rising. 00:13:58.434 --> 00:14:02.154 For a Group A retiree on TRICARE Select, the copayment for a primary 00:14:02.154 --> 00:14:04.544 care visit has increased to $38.00 00:14:04.594 --> 00:14:05.014 per visit. 00:14:05.514 --> 00:14:09.504 For those on TRICARE Prime, the copay is now $26.00. 00:14:09.930 --> 00:14:13.190 Perhaps most significant is the adjustment to the catastrophic cap—the 00:14:13.730 --> 00:14:18.260 maximum out-of-pocket amount a retiree family is liable for in a single year. 00:14:18.780 --> 00:14:22.370 For Group A retirees on TRICARE Select, this safety net has been 00:14:22.370 --> 00:14:27.230 raised from $4,261 to $4,381. 00:14:28.040 --> 00:14:32.080 For Group B retirees, the cap has risen to $4,635. 00:14:33.140 --> 00:14:36.370 This means that families with serious or chronic medical conditions 00:14:36.370 --> 00:14:39.410 will be responsible for a larger share of their medical bills 00:14:39.410 --> 00:14:41.030 before full coverage kicks in. 00:14:41.643 --> 00:14:45.213 One area of relief amidst these increases is pharmacy costs. 00:14:45.593 --> 00:14:49.183 The administration confirmed this week that pharmacy copayments for medically 00:14:49.183 --> 00:14:53.793 retired service members and their families will remain unchanged for 2026. 00:14:54.363 --> 00:14:57.643 This freeze provides a degree of financial predictability for those with 00:14:57.643 --> 00:15:01.843 service-connected disabilities who rely on regular prescription medications. 00:15:02.095 --> 00:15:04.945 Housing Security: The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act 00:15:05.190 --> 00:15:08.400 In a major legislative victory for retirees, particularly those 00:15:08.400 --> 00:15:11.560 struggling with mortgage payments, President Trump signed the VA 00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:14.110 Home Loan Program Reform Act (H.R. 00:15:14.140 --> 00:15:15.770 1815) into law. 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:20.050 This bill addresses a critical gap in the safety net for veterans that 00:15:20.090 --> 00:15:23.390 opened following the expiration of pandemic-era protections. 00:15:23.723 --> 00:15:27.273 The legislation formally establishes and codifies the Veterans Affairs 00:15:27.273 --> 00:15:29.513 Servicing Purchase (VASP) program. 00:15:30.183 --> 00:15:33.313 Under this new authority, the Department of Veterans Affairs is empowered to 00:15:33.313 --> 00:15:37.323 purchase defaulted VA-guaranteed loans directly from commercial servicers. 00:15:37.853 --> 00:15:41.023 Once the VA holds the loan, it can modify the terms to offer 00:15:41.023 --> 00:15:42.693 a fixed interest rate of 2.5 00:15:42.693 --> 00:15:43.113 percent. 00:15:43.553 --> 00:15:47.203 This is a game-changer for retirees living on fixed incomes who may have 00:15:47.203 --> 00:15:50.593 purchased homes during periods of high interest rates or who have faced 00:15:50.593 --> 00:15:52.423 financial shocks leading to default. 00:15:52.933 --> 00:15:54.393 By locking in a 2.5 00:15:54.393 --> 00:15:58.453 percent rate—significantly below the current market average—the VASP 00:15:58.453 --> 00:16:01.973 program can reduce monthly mortgage payments by hundreds of dollars, 00:16:02.253 --> 00:16:06.013 allowing retirees to remain in their homes rather than facing foreclosure. 00:16:06.443 --> 00:16:10.683 The Act also reinstates a moratorium on foreclosures for certain vulnerable 00:16:10.683 --> 00:16:14.323 categories of veterans, ensuring that no veteran loses their home 00:16:14.323 --> 00:16:17.633 due to a temporary bureaucratic gap in assistance programs. 00:16:17.961 --> 00:16:19.751 Issues That Affect Veterans Affairs 00:16:20.147 --> 00:16:24.087 The final week of 2025 was a period of intense legislative productivity 00:16:24.087 --> 00:16:26.947 regarding veterans' affairs, culminating in the passage of a 00:16:26.947 --> 00:16:29.147 comprehensive package of fourteen bills. 00:16:29.537 --> 00:16:33.587 These measures, passed swiftly by both chambers of Congress, aim to modernize 00:16:33.587 --> 00:16:37.437 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by integrating 21st-century 00:16:37.437 --> 00:16:41.717 technology into its benefits delivery systems and expanding access to care. 00:16:41.927 --> 00:16:45.247 Simultaneously, the VA continued its physical expansion with the 00:16:45.247 --> 00:16:46.877 opening of major new facilities. 00:16:47.202 --> 00:16:49.882 The "14 Bills" Package: A Legislative Overhaul 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:55.000 Between December 21 and December 27, Congress finalized a suite of legislation 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:57.280 designed to streamline VA operations. 00:16:57.750 --> 00:17:01.260 The following bills were central to this package, each addressing a specific 00:17:01.260 --> 00:17:02.660 bottleneck in the current system. 00:17:03.024 --> 00:17:03.374 H.R. 00:17:03.374 --> 00:17:06.414 3481: Delivering Digitally to Our Veterans Act 00:17:06.809 --> 00:17:10.529 This legislation fundamentally modernizes how the VA communicates 00:17:10.529 --> 00:17:11.489 with student veterans. 00:17:11.989 --> 00:17:15.919 Under the previous system, the VA was legally required to send sensitive and 00:17:15.919 --> 00:17:19.799 time-critical information regarding GI Bill benefits via physical mail. 00:17:20.109 --> 00:17:23.889 This antiquated requirement resulted in delays and a lack of responsiveness, 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:27.849 particularly among younger veterans who rely primarily on digital communication. 00:17:28.198 --> 00:17:28.668 H.R. 00:17:28.668 --> 00:17:32.768 3481 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a 00:17:32.768 --> 00:17:37.328 secure mechanism allowing veterans to "opt-in" to receive all educational 00:17:37.328 --> 00:17:39.308 benefit correspondence electronically. 00:17:40.008 --> 00:17:44.088 This change is expected to drastically reduce the number of missed deadlines 00:17:44.158 --> 00:17:48.498 and "drop-offs" in the system, ensuring that veterans receive notifications 00:17:48.498 --> 00:17:52.518 about their enrollment verification and housing allowance status instantly 00:17:52.518 --> 00:17:54.298 on their mobile devices or computers. 00:17:54.649 --> 00:17:55.109 H.R. 00:17:55.109 --> 00:17:58.719 1107: Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act 00:17:59.081 --> 00:18:03.021 Passed to secure the gains made during the COVID-19 pandemic, this Act 00:18:03.051 --> 00:18:07.171 addresses the legal hurdles surrounding telemedicine and controlled substances. 00:18:07.681 --> 00:18:11.661 The Ryan Haight Act of 2008 generally prohibited the prescription of controlled 00:18:11.661 --> 00:18:15.731 substances via the internet without a prior in-person medical evaluation. 00:18:16.281 --> 00:18:19.911 Temporary waivers had allowed the VA to bypass this during the pandemic, 00:18:20.191 --> 00:18:22.131 but those waivers were set to expire. 00:18:22.374 --> 00:18:22.804 H.R. 00:18:22.804 --> 00:18:26.984 1107 permanently authorizes VA healthcare professionals to prescribe 00:18:26.984 --> 00:18:30.464 necessary controlled medications—such as those used for mental health 00:18:30.464 --> 00:18:33.854 treatment or pain management—via telemedicine platforms without 00:18:33.854 --> 00:18:35.854 requiring an initial in-person visit. 00:18:36.374 --> 00:18:40.384 This is particularly vital for disabled veterans in rural or remote areas who 00:18:40.384 --> 00:18:44.354 may have mobility challenges or lack easy access to a VA medical center. 00:18:44.814 --> 00:18:48.104 It ensures they can continue their treatment regimens without interruption. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.069 H.R. 00:18:49.069 --> 00:18:53.149 3579: Veterans Readiness and Employment Program Integrity Act 00:18:53.442 --> 00:18:57.292 This bill introduces reforms to the Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and 00:18:57.292 --> 00:19:01.012 Employment (VR&E) program, which aids veterans with service-connected 00:19:01.042 --> 00:19:05.072 disabilities in preparing for, finding, and keeping suitable jobs. 00:19:05.371 --> 00:19:08.891 The legislation implements stricter accountability measures, including a 00:19:08.891 --> 00:19:12.871 requirement for veterans to apply for an initial evaluation to formalize 00:19:12.871 --> 00:19:14.221 their entry into the program. 00:19:14.681 --> 00:19:18.731 It also sets certain time limitations, capping specific employment assistance 00:19:18.731 --> 00:19:22.861 phases at 365 days to encourage efficient progression toward employment. 00:19:23.351 --> 00:19:27.531 Furthermore, it mandates that the VA report to Congress on actual employment 00:19:27.531 --> 00:19:31.561 outcomes and wage data, ensuring that the program is effectively placing 00:19:31.561 --> 00:19:35.881 veterans in sustainable careers rather than just providing indefinite training. 00:19:36.213 --> 00:19:36.713 H.R. 00:19:36.713 --> 00:19:41.683 3854: Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act 00:19:41.992 --> 00:19:44.752 This bill focuses on the internal mechanics of the Veterans 00:19:44.752 --> 00:19:46.722 Benefits Administration (VBA). 00:19:47.090 --> 00:19:50.340 It directs the VA to develop a comprehensive plan to increase 00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:53.460 the use of automation and data sharing in claims processing. 00:19:54.090 --> 00:19:57.820 By reducing the reliance on manual data entry and paper file transfers, 00:19:58.080 --> 00:20:02.080 the bill aims to significantly cut the backlog of disability claims and 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:05.310 speed up the delivery of decisions to veterans and their survivors. 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:07.310 Additional Legislation in the Package 00:20:07.656 --> 00:20:10.056 The package also included several other key measures: 00:20:10.366 --> 00:20:10.646 H.R. 00:20:10.646 --> 00:20:14.956 3400 (TRAVEL Act): Enhances reimbursement processes for veterans' 00:20:14.956 --> 00:20:16.346 travel to medical appointments. 00:20:16.682 --> 00:20:17.112 H.R. 00:20:17.112 --> 00:20:22.832 3494 (VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act): Mandates 00:20:22.872 --> 00:20:26.172 a modernized inventory system to prevent shortages of critical 00:20:26.172 --> 00:20:28.022 medical supplies at VA hospitals. 00:20:28.365 --> 00:20:28.715 H.R. 00:20:28.715 --> 00:20:33.645 2334 (Servicemember Residence Protection Act): While primarily affecting 00:20:33.645 --> 00:20:37.025 active duty, this bill prevents states from allowing squatters to 00:20:37.025 --> 00:20:39.915 claim rights to a service member's home while they are deployed. 00:20:40.254 --> 00:20:40.714 H.R. 00:20:40.714 --> 00:20:45.224 3951 (Rural Veteran Improved Access to Benefits Act): specifically 00:20:45.224 --> 00:20:48.134 targets outreach to veterans living in non-urban areas. 00:20:48.411 --> 00:20:50.311 VA Healthcare Infrastructure Expansion 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:53.600 Beyond legislation, the physical footprint of the VA healthcare 00:20:53.600 --> 00:20:55.500 system grew significantly this week. 00:20:55.990 --> 00:21:01.230 On December 22, 2025, the Wilmington VA Medical Center completed a major strategic 00:21:01.230 --> 00:21:03.450 relocation of its services in New Jersey. 00:21:03.910 --> 00:21:07.140 The Atlantic County VA Clinic moved from its previous location in 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:10.890 Northfield to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Linwood, New Jersey. 00:21:11.269 --> 00:21:15.399 The new Linwood clinic represents a doubling of capacity, boasting over 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:17.999 20,000 square feet of clinical space. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:22.049 It has been designed to offer a wider array of services under one roof, 00:21:22.269 --> 00:21:26.569 including expanded primary care, dedicated mental and behavioral health 00:21:26.569 --> 00:21:29.409 wings, nutrition services, and podiatry. 00:21:29.959 --> 00:21:33.169 Crucially, the facility was built with the infrastructure to support 00:21:33.169 --> 00:21:37.679 future additions of advanced imaging capabilities like CT scans and X-ray 00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:41.589 units, reducing the need for veterans to travel to the main hospital in 00:21:41.589 --> 00:21:43.269 Delaware for diagnostic testing. 00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:48.509 A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for January 05, 2026, but 00:21:48.509 --> 00:21:52.209 the facility began accepting patients during this reporting week, immediately 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.939 alleviating wait times in the region. 00:21:54.385 --> 00:21:57.745 2026 Disability Compensation Rates and Community Care Debate 00:21:58.103 --> 00:22:02.763 As with military retirees, disabled veterans saw their 2026 compensation 00:22:02.763 --> 00:22:04.463 rates finalized during this period. 00:22:05.023 --> 00:22:05.633 The 2.8 00:22:05.633 --> 00:22:10.393 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment applies to all VA disability compensation, Special 00:22:10.393 --> 00:22:15.893 Monthly Compensation (SMC), and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments. 00:22:16.245 --> 00:22:20.765 Effective December 01, 2025, a veteran with a 100 percent disability 00:22:20.765 --> 00:22:24.385 rating (and no dependents) will see their monthly payment increase 00:22:24.385 --> 00:22:28.135 to approximately $3,877.00. 00:22:28.735 --> 00:22:34.285 A veteran with a 60 percent rating will receive approximately $1,435.00. 00:22:34.855 --> 00:22:38.225 These increases are automatic and require no action from the veteran. 00:22:38.583 --> 00:22:42.213 However, the week also saw intensified debate regarding 00:22:42.213 --> 00:22:43.963 the future of VA care delivery. 00:22:44.393 --> 00:22:48.103 Reports from federal employee unions have highlighted concerns over a 00:22:48.103 --> 00:22:52.263 "dangerous new bill" supported by the Trump administration that would further 00:22:52.263 --> 00:22:54.023 empower community care providers. 00:22:54.293 --> 00:22:57.653 This proposed legislation builds on the MISSION Act to remove almost 00:22:57.653 --> 00:23:01.013 all administrative barriers for veterans seeking private sector care. 00:23:01.383 --> 00:23:05.473 While the administration frames this as "maximum choice" for the veteran, unions 00:23:05.473 --> 00:23:09.313 and some veteran advocacy groups argue it is a stealth privatization of the 00:23:09.313 --> 00:23:13.663 system that will drain resources from VA medical centers, potentially degrading 00:23:13.663 --> 00:23:18.063 the quality of specialized care that the VA is uniquely best at providing, such 00:23:18.063 --> 00:23:20.393 as spinal cord injury and TBI treatment. 00:23:21.013 --> 00:23:24.603 This tension between direct care and community choice remains the central 00:23:24.603 --> 00:23:27.143 policy conflict heading into 2026. 00:23:27.467 --> 00:23:29.027 And that's your Weekly Briefing. 00:23:29.557 --> 00:23:33.527 Staying on top of these changes is key to navigating your career, 00:23:33.717 --> 00:23:35.767 your retirement, and your benefits. 00:23:36.135 --> 00:23:37.075 Thank you for tuning in. 00:23:37.535 --> 00:23:41.265 Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, so you never miss an update. 00:23:41.775 --> 00:23:45.005 We’ll be back next week with another roundup of the news that matters most 00:23:45.005 --> 00:23:46.925 to the military and veteran community.