Svetlana Shkolnikova
@svetashko.bsky.social
Covering Congress + beyond for @starsandstripes.bsky.social 🪖 shkolnikova.svetlana@stripes.com
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
Democratic senators representing states that bore the brunt of the fallout from explosive nuclear weapons testing are seeking to pass legislation that would bar President Donald Trump from unilaterally resuming such tests.
Democrats introduce bill barring Trump from unilaterally restarting nuclear weapons tests
The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act is a response to Trump’s announcement that he had ordered the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons tests.
www.stripes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Democratic senators representing states that bore the brunt of the fallout from explosive nuclear weapons testing are seeking to pass legislation that would bar President Donald Trump from unilaterally resuming such tests.
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
The Senate on Thursday rejected, mostly along party lines, a bipartisan resolution to block President Donald Trump from conducting strikes against Venezuela as the U.S. continued to surge troops and military assets to the region. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Senate votes down bipartisan measure to block attack on Venezuela
The Senate has rejected, mostly along party lines, a bipartisan resolution to block President Donald Trump from conducting strikes against Venezuela.
www.stripes.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM
The Senate on Thursday rejected, mostly along party lines, a bipartisan resolution to block President Donald Trump from conducting strikes against Venezuela as the U.S. continued to surge troops and military assets to the region. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
More than a dozen veterans in the House have accused President Donald Trump of undermining the apolitical nature of the military by telling senior officers that American cities should be used as “training grounds” to combat an “invasion from within.”
#Flashes
#Flashes
October 1, 2025 at 10:13 PM
More than a dozen veterans in the House have accused President Donald Trump of undermining the apolitical nature of the military by telling senior officers that American cities should be used as “training grounds” to combat an “invasion from within.”
#Flashes
#Flashes
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
ICYMI: In an overnight vote, the House approved an $831.5 billion defense spending bill that keeps a flat budget for the Pentagon, provides a 3.8% pay raise for troops and cuts about 45,000 positions from the civilian workforce. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
House approves $831.5B for Pentagon with pay raise for troops and civilian workforce cuts
In an overnight vote, the House approved an $831.5 billion defense spending bill that keeps a flat budget for the Pentagon, provides a 3.8% pay raise for troops and cuts some 45,000 positions from the...
www.stripes.com
July 18, 2025 at 11:36 PM
ICYMI: In an overnight vote, the House approved an $831.5 billion defense spending bill that keeps a flat budget for the Pentagon, provides a 3.8% pay raise for troops and cuts about 45,000 positions from the civilian workforce. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees unveiled legislation Friday supporting a 3.8% pay raise for service members and restricting any Pentagon efforts to undermine aid to Ukraine or drastically reduce American forces in Europe. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Defense policy bills endorse pay raise for troops, restrict force reductions in Europe
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees unveiled legislation Friday supporting a 3.8% pay raise for service members and restricting any Pentagon efforts to undermine aid to Ukraine or drastical...
www.stripes.com
July 12, 2025 at 6:10 AM
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees unveiled legislation Friday supporting a 3.8% pay raise for service members and restricting any Pentagon efforts to undermine aid to Ukraine or drastically reduce American forces in Europe. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
The sprawling bill will raise spending on defense and immigration enforcement while lowering funding for health and nutrition programs, including eliminating exemptions from work requirements for veterans who rely on food assistance.
House sends Trump megabill with $150B boost to defense, tighter rules for food aid for veterans
The House on Thursday passed President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy bill, extending tax cuts, cutting spending on social safety net programs and giving the Pentagon $150 billion on top of ...
www.stripes.com
July 4, 2025 at 12:14 AM
The sprawling bill will raise spending on defense and immigration enforcement while lowering funding for health and nutrition programs, including eliminating exemptions from work requirements for veterans who rely on food assistance.
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
#BREAKING: The House has passed President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy bill, extending tax cuts, cutting spending on social safety net programs and giving the Pentagon $150 billion on top of its annual budget.
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
July 3, 2025 at 7:18 PM
#BREAKING: The House has passed President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy bill, extending tax cuts, cutting spending on social safety net programs and giving the Pentagon $150 billion on top of its annual budget.
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
The Senate on Friday voted against moving forward with a resolution that would have reined in President Donald Trump’s ability to take further military action against Iran, rejecting an effort by Democrats to reaffirm congressional war powers. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Senate rejects resolution requiring congressional approval for Iran strikes
The Senate voted Friday against moving forward with a resolution that would have reined in President Donald Trump’s ability to take further military action against Iran, rejecting an effort by Democra...
www.stripes.com
June 27, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The Senate on Friday voted against moving forward with a resolution that would have reined in President Donald Trump’s ability to take further military action against Iran, rejecting an effort by Democrats to reaffirm congressional war powers. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
A group of 12 military veterans serving in the House told President Donald Trump that they will support a resolution to require approval from lawmakers for further military action against Iran in a bid to claw back Congress’ power to declare war.
Military veterans serving in the House demand congressional approval for more attacks against Iran
A group of 12 military veterans serving in the House told President Donald Trump on Monday that they will support a resolution to require approval from lawmakers for further military action against Ir...
www.stripes.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A group of 12 military veterans serving in the House told President Donald Trump that they will support a resolution to require approval from lawmakers for further military action against Iran in a bid to claw back Congress’ power to declare war.
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
During congressional testimony Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and defended deploying National Guard troops and Marines to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles, saying the military was "proud to do it." (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Hegseth says National Guard troops and Marines ‘proud’ to deploy to Los Angeles immigration protests
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday defended the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles, saying the military was “proud to do it” and w...
www.stripes.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
During congressional testimony Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and defended deploying National Guard troops and Marines to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles, saying the military was "proud to do it." (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
Army officials confirmed that the service is preparing to provide 20,000 National Guard troops to crack down on immigration, raising concerns among lawmakers about the “unprecedented” nature of the deployment. #Flashes
June 5, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Army officials confirmed that the service is preparing to provide 20,000 National Guard troops to crack down on immigration, raising concerns among lawmakers about the “unprecedented” nature of the deployment. #Flashes
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
While service leaders advise it is too soon to tell how they will be impacted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's order to pare down the military's senior ranks, the Marine Corps says it will likely be affected the most. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Marine Corps expects largest impact from Hegseth’s officer cuts
Service officials said it was too soon to tell how they will be impacted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order to pare down the military’s senior ranks, but the Marine Corps will likely be affecte...
www.stripes.com
May 7, 2025 at 10:31 PM
While service leaders advise it is too soon to tell how they will be impacted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's order to pare down the military's senior ranks, the Marine Corps says it will likely be affected the most. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
"This is going to be a challenge for us": Personnel chiefs for each of the military services told a congressional subpanel Wednesday they are bracing for the impact of civilians voluntarily resigning as part of the Defense Department's effort to trim its workforce. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
‘This is going to be a challenge’: Military services steeling for impact from civilian resignations
Tens of thousands of civilian employees who work for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force are voluntarily resigning as part of the Department of Defense’s effort to trim its workfor...
www.stripes.com
April 30, 2025 at 11:49 PM
"This is going to be a challenge for us": Personnel chiefs for each of the military services told a congressional subpanel Wednesday they are bracing for the impact of civilians voluntarily resigning as part of the Defense Department's effort to trim its workforce. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
The global supply chain that the U.S. military relies on to produce weapons and equip troops, built up over decades, could be under threat as the Trump administration seeks to lessen American reliance on imports and bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
‘Prices are going to go up’: Trade war threatens US weapon production
The U.S. military relies on a network of countries around the world to produce the sophisticated weapons and equipment that arm its warfighters.
www.stripes.com
April 26, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The global supply chain that the U.S. military relies on to produce weapons and equip troops, built up over decades, could be under threat as the Trump administration seeks to lessen American reliance on imports and bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee warned this week that tariffs levied against Australia and other security partners in the Indo-Pacific region were harming relationships needed to deter China. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
‘Collateral damage’: Democrats warn tariffs on Indo-Pacific nations will harm military partnerships
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee warned Wednesday that tariffs levied against Australia and other security partners in the Indo-Pacific region were harming relationships needed to deter...
www.stripes.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee warned this week that tariffs levied against Australia and other security partners in the Indo-Pacific region were harming relationships needed to deter China. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
Mourners carrying wreaths and flags filled the streets in Lithuania’s capital Wednesday to memorialize four U.S. soldiers who died last week during a military training exercise.
#Flashes
#Flashes
April 2, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Mourners carrying wreaths and flags filled the streets in Lithuania’s capital Wednesday to memorialize four U.S. soldiers who died last week during a military training exercise.
#Flashes
#Flashes
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
Top members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday asked the Defense Department to investigate the Signal group chat in which Trump national security officials discussed plans for airstrikes in Yemen in the presence of a journalist. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Senate Armed Services Committee leaders request Pentagon investigation of Signal scandal
Top senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday asked the Defense Department to investigate the Signal group chat in which Trump national security officials discussed plans for airstri...
www.stripes.com
March 28, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Top members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday asked the Defense Department to investigate the Signal group chat in which Trump national security officials discussed plans for airstrikes in Yemen in the presence of a journalist. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
“If House Republicans won’t hold a hearing on how this happened IMMEDIATELY, I’ll do it my damn self.”
Lawmakers demanded answers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials discussed war plans in a text conversation that included a journalist. Read more:
Lawmakers demanded answers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials discussed war plans in a text conversation that included a journalist. Read more:
‘Stunning and dangerous’: Democrats demand answers about Trump administration’s group chat about war plans
Lawmakers, including top Democrats on Senate and House Armed Services committees, demanded answers Monday after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Trump administration officials discussed war pl...
www.stripes.com
March 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
“If House Republicans won’t hold a hearing on how this happened IMMEDIATELY, I’ll do it my damn self.”
Lawmakers demanded answers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials discussed war plans in a text conversation that included a journalist. Read more:
Lawmakers demanded answers after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other top Trump administration officials discussed war plans in a text conversation that included a journalist. Read more:
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
John Phelan, an investor who said he would make up for his lack of military experience with his business acumen, was confirmed Monday to serve as Navy secretary. Phelan will become the first person in more than 15 years to lead the Navy without having served in any branch of the military.
Senate confirms investor John Phelan to serve as Navy secretary
John Phelan, an investor who said he would make up for his lack of military experience with his business acumen, was confirmed Monday by the Senate to serve as Navy secretary.
www.stripes.com
March 24, 2025 at 11:04 PM
John Phelan, an investor who said he would make up for his lack of military experience with his business acumen, was confirmed Monday to serve as Navy secretary. Phelan will become the first person in more than 15 years to lead the Navy without having served in any branch of the military.
A top Navy admiral told lawmakers last week that shipyard workers were exempt from a Defense Department-wide probationary employee purge.
Meanwhile at least 10 probationary workers were fired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine:
Meanwhile at least 10 probationary workers were fired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine:
Navy says shipyards are exempt from DOD’s probationary purge, though 10 workers were fired this week
At least 10 workers were fired from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine this week, a day after a top Navy admiral told lawmakers that the service’s shipyard workforce is exempt from a Defense Departmen...
www.stripes.com
March 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
A top Navy admiral told lawmakers last week that shipyard workers were exempt from a Defense Department-wide probationary employee purge.
Meanwhile at least 10 probationary workers were fired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine:
Meanwhile at least 10 probationary workers were fired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine:
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
Senior service leaders said that they will be significantly challenged by a stopgap spending bill that the Senate plans to vote on this week to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a shutdown.
‘A huge hit to us’: Senior service leaders warn of delays and disruptions under pending stopgap funding bill
Senior service leaders said Wednesday they will be significantly challenged by a stopgap spending bill the Senate plans to vote on this week to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a shutdow...
www.stripes.com
March 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Senior service leaders said that they will be significantly challenged by a stopgap spending bill that the Senate plans to vote on this week to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a shutdown.
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
The resurrection of military shipbuilding in the U.S. will hinge on improving wages and benefits for workers at shipyards, Navy officials and experts said Tuesday as lawmakers raised fears of cuts to shipyard workforces. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Higher pay for shipyard workers critical for military shipbuilding revival, experts say
The resurrection of military shipbuilding in the U.S. will hinge on improving wages and benefits for workers at shipyards, Navy officials and experts said Tuesday as lawmakers raised fears of cuts to ...
www.stripes.com
March 12, 2025 at 5:54 AM
The resurrection of military shipbuilding in the U.S. will hinge on improving wages and benefits for workers at shipyards, Navy officials and experts said Tuesday as lawmakers raised fears of cuts to shipyard workforces. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., blasted the House on Wednesday for “skipping town on a Tuesday” and forcing senators to accept either a “half-assed” funding measure that will harm the military or a “catastrophic” shutdown.
‘A huge hit to us’: Senior service leaders warn of delays and disruptions under pending stopgap funding bill
Senior service leaders said Wednesday they will be significantly challenged by a stopgap spending bill the Senate plans to vote on this week to fund the government through Sept. 30 and avoid a shutdow...
www.stripes.com
March 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., blasted the House on Wednesday for “skipping town on a Tuesday” and forcing senators to accept either a “half-assed” funding measure that will harm the military or a “catastrophic” shutdown.
Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, responds to the Trump-Zelensky meeting:
February 28, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, responds to the Trump-Zelensky meeting:
Reposted by Svetlana Shkolnikova
Stephen Feinberg, the president's nominee for deputy defense secretary, declined Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to say whether Russia invaded Ukraine and deflected questions from senators about planned cuts to the Pentagon's civilian workforce. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)
Nominee for deputy defense secretary won’t say Russia invaded Ukraine or how Pentagon will cut workforce
Stephen Feinberg, President Donald Trump’s nominee for deputy defense secretary, declined Tuesday to say whether Russia invaded Ukraine and deflected questions from senators about planned cuts to the ...
www.stripes.com
February 26, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Stephen Feinberg, the president's nominee for deputy defense secretary, declined Tuesday during his confirmation hearing to say whether Russia invaded Ukraine and deflected questions from senators about planned cuts to the Pentagon's civilian workforce. (from @svetashko.bsky.social)