Congressional Synopsis
@congsynopsis.bsky.social
Covering DoD & VA health care on Capitol Hill & official DC. Trying to bring a kinder, more hopeful light to political coverage.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses among U.S. service members dropped by more than 40% over a two-year span, the Defense Department said this week in a new report that found fentanyl-related deaths at a seven-year low.
Drug overdoses among military members dropped sharply in recent years, DOD report finds
Overall active-duty fatal drug overdoses reached an eight-year low in 2023, according to a Pentagon study.
www.stripes.com
April 16, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses among U.S. service members dropped by more than 40% over a two-year span, the Defense Department said this week in a new report that found fentanyl-related deaths at a seven-year low.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
RECALL ALERT 🚨 If you’ve bought Lettieri’s Food to Go French Toast breakfast sandwiches; has or serves food to someone with a sesame allergy; and shops at Army & Air Force Exchange Services locations, we've got some bad news for you: Hearthside Food Solutions has issued a total recall.
Breakfast sandwiches sold at AAFES stores recalled
www.stripes.com
April 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
RECALL ALERT 🚨 If you’ve bought Lettieri’s Food to Go French Toast breakfast sandwiches; has or serves food to someone with a sesame allergy; and shops at Army & Air Force Exchange Services locations, we've got some bad news for you: Hearthside Food Solutions has issued a total recall.
Just a couple observations.
DoD not observing "identity months," but quietly released an email yesterday highlighting the accomplishments of an African-American Air Force nurse in the 1950s.
Music on the DoD Live site is now more peaceful; much less martial than it used to be.
DoD not observing "identity months," but quietly released an email yesterday highlighting the accomplishments of an African-American Air Force nurse in the 1950s.
Music on the DoD Live site is now more peaceful; much less martial than it used to be.
February 7, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Just a couple observations.
DoD not observing "identity months," but quietly released an email yesterday highlighting the accomplishments of an African-American Air Force nurse in the 1950s.
Music on the DoD Live site is now more peaceful; much less martial than it used to be.
DoD not observing "identity months," but quietly released an email yesterday highlighting the accomplishments of an African-American Air Force nurse in the 1950s.
Music on the DoD Live site is now more peaceful; much less martial than it used to be.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Childcare center employees told BI that they're locked out of their federal grants, leaving them unable to pay staff and other bills.
Some Head Start childcare centers say they can't get federal funds. They're paying staff out of pocket and worried about closing: 'Folks are scared.'
Childcare center employees told BI that they're locked out of their federal grants, leaving them unable to pay staff and other bills.
www.businessinsider.com
February 6, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Childcare center employees told BI that they're locked out of their federal grants, leaving them unable to pay staff and other bills.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
NEW: President Donald Trump has given Elon Musk sweeping authority to overhaul the U.S. government bureaucracy and its operations around the globe.
ProPublica confirmed the identities and roles of more than 20 key people affiliated with Musk.
ProPublica confirmed the identities and roles of more than 20 key people affiliated with Musk.
Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been unleashed on federal agencies. ProPublica is attempting to document who is working with him and what they are doing.
propub.li
February 6, 2025 at 10:10 PM
NEW: President Donald Trump has given Elon Musk sweeping authority to overhaul the U.S. government bureaucracy and its operations around the globe.
ProPublica confirmed the identities and roles of more than 20 key people affiliated with Musk.
ProPublica confirmed the identities and roles of more than 20 key people affiliated with Musk.
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What will Trump's federal worker hiring freeze mean for VA hospitals and staffing? www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...
Trump’s federal hiring freeze raises fears about VA medical care
VA hires about 40,000 new workers every year to maintain operations at VA medical sites. It's unclear if that can continue under Trump's hiring halt.
www.militarytimes.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
What will Trump's federal worker hiring freeze mean for VA hospitals and staffing? www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
FWIW, women outnumber men 8-6 on the HASC military personnel subcommitee (its a 47-10 split in favor of men on the full committee) and there's an even split between veterans and non-veterans (both Fallon and Houlahan are vets).
HASC out with a full list of subcommittee assignments for the new session, but I know there's only one that people really care about.
January 17, 2025 at 2:17 PM
FWIW, women outnumber men 8-6 on the HASC military personnel subcommitee (its a 47-10 split in favor of men on the full committee) and there's an even split between veterans and non-veterans (both Fallon and Houlahan are vets).
I've been covering DC for a long time. First time I've seen a nominee asked about how many pushups he did this morning. Civility was stretched to the limit on the committee, especially among junior members.
January 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I've been covering DC for a long time. First time I've seen a nominee asked about how many pushups he did this morning. Civility was stretched to the limit on the committee, especially among junior members.
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HOLY 💩
I’m very surprised the Republicans went for it
I’m very surprised the Republicans went for it
December 18, 2024 at 4:40 PM
HOLY 💩
I’m very surprised the Republicans went for it
I’m very surprised the Republicans went for it
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Senators voting no: Baldwin, Booker, Braun, Kim, Lee, Markey, Merkley, Paul, Sanders, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren, Welch, & Wyden.
Senator Vance did not vote.
Senator Vance did not vote.
December 18, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Senators voting no: Baldwin, Booker, Braun, Kim, Lee, Markey, Merkley, Paul, Sanders, Schiff, Stabenow, Warren, Welch, & Wyden.
Senator Vance did not vote.
Senator Vance did not vote.
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Republicans barely have a majority.
December 16, 2024 at 11:38 PM
Republicans barely have a majority.
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Breaking — Congress finalizes Dole Caregiver Act. It now heads to the White House to become law. Details here www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
Congress finalizes sweeping bill to help veteran caregivers
The measure to expand assistance for veteran caregivers easily passed both the House and Senate, and now heads to the White House to become law.
www.militarytimes.com
December 17, 2024 at 12:32 AM
Breaking — Congress finalizes Dole Caregiver Act. It now heads to the White House to become law. Details here www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
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Coming up this afternoon -- House is expected to give its final stamp on the Dole Act, sweeping veterans legislation regarding caregiver benefits and community care options. The Senate approved it last week with technical changes. If the House OKs those, it heads to the White House to become law.
December 16, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Coming up this afternoon -- House is expected to give its final stamp on the Dole Act, sweeping veterans legislation regarding caregiver benefits and community care options. The Senate approved it last week with technical changes. If the House OKs those, it heads to the White House to become law.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
The Japanese Health Ministry has reported higher than expected numbers of parvovirus B19 infections in and around Tokyo, according to an alert from U.S. Army Medical Department Activities-Japan.
Virus responsible for respiratory illness is increasingly common in Tokyo area
www.stripes.com
December 16, 2024 at 6:46 AM
The Japanese Health Ministry has reported higher than expected numbers of parvovirus B19 infections in and around Tokyo, according to an alert from U.S. Army Medical Department Activities-Japan.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Housing allowance rates for service members will increase by an average of 5.4% beginning Jan. 1, the Defense Department announced.
Learn more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
Learn more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
Pentagon ups housing allowance for troops by about 5%
The Defense Department will raise rates for the Basic Allowance for Housing for service members by an average of 5.4% beginning Jan. 1.
www.stripes.com
December 13, 2024 at 6:33 PM
Housing allowance rates for service members will increase by an average of 5.4% beginning Jan. 1, the Defense Department announced.
Learn more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
Learn more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/...
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Among those granted pardons Thursday by Joe Biden are 15 military veterans who were convicted of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
15 military veterans convicted of nonviolent crimes receive pardons
Fifteen military veterans who were convicted of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses, were granted pardons by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
www.stripes.com
December 13, 2024 at 3:53 AM
Among those granted pardons Thursday by Joe Biden are 15 military veterans who were convicted of nonviolent crimes, including drug offenses. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
NEW: The morning that Cmdr. Elizabeth Nakagawa was scheduled to have a D&C to remove fetal tissue after losing a very wanted pregnancy, she learned the surgery had been canceled because the military’s health insurance plan refused to pay for it.
propub.li/3BsQK3e
propub.li/3BsQK3e
A Coast Guard Commander Miscarried. She Nearly Died After Being Denied Care.
U.S. service members have long faced strict limits on abortions, even when used to resolve miscarriages. Under federal law, the military will only pay for abortions in cases of rape, incest or to save the mother’s life.
propub.li
December 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM
NEW: The morning that Cmdr. Elizabeth Nakagawa was scheduled to have a D&C to remove fetal tissue after losing a very wanted pregnancy, she learned the surgery had been canceled because the military’s health insurance plan refused to pay for it.
propub.li/3BsQK3e
propub.li/3BsQK3e
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Members of Congress are pushing legislation that threatens to break up some of the biggest U.S. health care conglomerates, including UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health, by forcing them to sell off their retail or mail-order pharmacies.
Elizabeth Warren, Josh Hawley Co-Sponsor Bill to Break Up Giant Health Care Conglomerates
New legislation would force UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health and Cigna to each sell their pharmacies within three years.
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2024 at 1:53 AM
Members of Congress are pushing legislation that threatens to break up some of the biggest U.S. health care conglomerates, including UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health, by forcing them to sell off their retail or mail-order pharmacies.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Out today -- Sens. Moran and King are pushing for VA to study signs and treatments for blast overpressure injuries, saying the scope of the problem is still largely unknown.
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
Lawmakers call for in-depth VA study on blast pressure injuries
The 10-year research plan would examine blast injuries among veterans and offer suggestions for treatments.
www.militarytimes.com
December 10, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Out today -- Sens. Moran and King are pushing for VA to study signs and treatments for blast overpressure injuries, saying the scope of the problem is still largely unknown.
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
No surprise -- Rep. Bost reappointed as chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for next session.
December 10, 2024 at 3:02 PM
No surprise -- Rep. Bost reappointed as chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for next session.
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Medical care restrictions for transgender minors in military families complicates defense bill
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
Medical care limits for transgender minors complicates defense bill
A provision in the must-pass defense measure would block certain military medical care options for transgender youth.
www.militarytimes.com
December 10, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Medical care restrictions for transgender minors in military families complicates defense bill
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
🚨🚨🚨REPORTER JOBS ALERT!🚨🚨🚨 We have not one but TWO jobs open, one in our South bureau and another in the Southwest bureau. Both fascinating regions that desperately need more investigative journalists: boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
Southwest Reporter
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
boards.greenhouse.io
December 5, 2024 at 8:56 PM
🚨🚨🚨REPORTER JOBS ALERT!🚨🚨🚨 We have not one but TWO jobs open, one in our South bureau and another in the Southwest bureau. Both fascinating regions that desperately need more investigative journalists: boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
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BLS unemployment data for November: 2.8% for all vets (2.8% in October), 3.1% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.2% in October), 4.2% for the nation (4.1% in October).
December 6, 2024 at 2:27 PM
BLS unemployment data for November: 2.8% for all vets (2.8% in October), 3.1% for OIF/OEF era vets (3.2% in October), 4.2% for the nation (4.1% in October).
Reposted by Congressional Synopsis
Out now -- VA unveils plans to expand eligibility for caregiver support services and promises fewer check-ins for participants. But it's unclear if the reforms will be continued by the next adminstration.
www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...
www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...
VA plans to expand caregiver benefits, postpone program discharges
Rules surrounding VA's caregiver support have been in limbo for more than two years after families complained about harsh eligibility guidelines.
www.militarytimes.com
December 5, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Out now -- VA unveils plans to expand eligibility for caregiver support services and promises fewer check-ins for participants. But it's unclear if the reforms will be continued by the next adminstration.
www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...
www.militarytimes.com/veterans/202...