Veterans

Former VA Union Local Official Sentenced for Embezzlement

A former treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 331 pleaded guilty in May to stealing more than $80,000 from the union.

Erich Wagner
September 20, 2019

Former VA Union Local Official Sentenced for Embezzlement

A former treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 331 pleaded guilty in May to stealing more than $80,000 from the union.

Erich Wagner
September 20, 2019

Higher Pay and Parental Leave Could Help VA Address Vacancies, Official Says

Administration officials at multiple agencies acknowledge shortfalls in medical staffing.

Eric Katz
September 18, 2019

Officials Are Investigating 11 'Suspicious Deaths' at West Virginia VA Hospital

"These crimes shock the conscience," says Sen. Joe Manchin.

Eric Katz
August 28, 2019

‘I’m Just Baffled’: Internal Emails Show Career VA Employees Frustrated by Influence of Mar-a-Lago Outsiders

Employees question knowledge of the "Mar-a-Lago" crowd, but note importance of appeasing Trump's friends.

Eric Katz
August 23, 2019

Trump Told the VA to Order ‘a Lot’ of Ketamine for Vets

The president wants to make a controversial new nasal spray available to depressed veterans. The agency says it will consider incorporating the drug after it has more data.

James Hamblin, The Atlantic
August 23, 2019

5 Indicted for Alleged Scheme to Steal Millions From Military Members and Veterans

Potential victims of fraud and identity theft will be notified, and Defense will provide free credit monitoring services.

Courtney Bublé
August 21, 2019

Union Files Grievance After VA Bans Employees From Smoking at Work

VA says new policy will improve care for veterans, but employees say it violates their contract.

Eric Katz
August 21, 2019

'No Comment': Emails Show the VA Took No Action to Spare Veterans From a Harsh Trump Immigration Policy

The VA’s approach differs sharply from the Pentagon’s, which won an exemption for active-duty members of the military.

Isaac Arnsdorf, Dara Lind and Yeganeh Torbati, ProPublica
August 19, 2019

As More Veterans Turn to Nursing Homes for Care, VA Needs to Improve Oversight

A watchdog recommends the Veterans Affairs Department boost facility inspections and provide more comprehensive information to vets and their families.

Courtney Bublé
August 6, 2019

Senate Democrats Demand VA Return to Bargaining Table with Union

Lawmakers accuse department leadership of “anti-worker, anti-union” tactics.

Erich Wagner
August 5, 2019

Federal HR Officials: Get Rid of Most Hiring Authorities

Officials at the Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs departments said having too many avenues for hiring a federal employee causes paralysis at agencies.

Erich Wagner
July 31, 2019

Retirement Backlog Grows, Bills Would Expand Veterans Benefits and More

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Erich Wagner
July 10, 2019

Citing New Supreme Court Ruling, VA to Allow Religious Displays at Hospitals and Facilities

VA says its new policy will 'protect religious freedom,' though some feel it violates the Constitution.

Eric Katz
July 3, 2019

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What’s Next for Federal Customer Experience

House Approves Shutdown Back Pay for Contractors, Trump Signs Law Expanding Vet Disability Benefits

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Erich Wagner
June 26, 2019

VA Whistleblowers Tell Congress Retaliation Is Still Rampant

One VA employee received a proposed firing notice just one day prior to testifying.

Eric Katz
June 25, 2019

How Well Do VA’s Regional Offices Perform? VA Doesn’t Really Know.

The department has 1,000 employees to oversee medical centers, but their roles have never been clearly defined and performance is not clearly measured, auditors say.

Eric Katz
June 21, 2019

For Soldiers, Risk of Suicide Linked With Firearm Ownership

Clinicians advise that soldiers at risk for suicide spend less time close to guns.

Patrick Tucker, Defense One
June 8, 2019

ICE Doesn't Know How Many Non-Citizen Military Veterans It Has Deported

Poor data on those living here or overseas means many are denied benefits, GAO found.

Charles S. Clark
June 7, 2019

Trump’s VA Firing Spree Falters in Court

Rather than defend a law that the president loves, the VA will reinstate a hospital director whom it twice tried to fire.

Isaac Arnsdorf, ProPublica
May 16, 2019

New Whistleblower Protection Office Is Under Investigation for Retaliating Against Whistleblowers

"You don’t want to come forward," one whistleblower said. "People are afraid."

Eric Katz
April 16, 2019

How Ex-Congressman Jeff Miller Is Single-Handedly Shaping The Push To Privatize VA Health Care

Behind Miller’s growing lobbying portfolio lies one of the biggest unexamined shifts in Washington’s influence game.

Jasper Craven, Reveal
April 4, 2019

Administration officials at multiple agencies acknowledge shortfalls in medical staffing.

"These crimes shock the conscience," says Sen. Joe Manchin.

Employees question knowledge of the "Mar-a-Lago" crowd, but note importance of appeasing Trump's friends.

The president wants to make a controversial new nasal spray available to depressed veterans. The agency says it will consider incorporating the drug after it has more data.

Potential victims of fraud and identity theft will be notified, and Defense will provide free credit monitoring services.

VA says new policy will improve care for veterans, but employees say it violates their contract.

The VA’s approach differs sharply from the Pentagon’s, which won an exemption for active-duty members of the military.

A watchdog recommends the Veterans Affairs Department boost facility inspections and provide more comprehensive information to vets and their families.

Lawmakers accuse department leadership of “anti-worker, anti-union” tactics.

Officials at the Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs departments said having too many avenues for hiring a federal employee causes paralysis at agencies.

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

VA says its new policy will 'protect religious freedom,' though some feel it violates the Constitution.

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

One VA employee received a proposed firing notice just one day prior to testifying.

The department has 1,000 employees to oversee medical centers, but their roles have never been clearly defined and performance is not clearly measured, auditors say.

Clinicians advise that soldiers at risk for suicide spend less time close to guns.

Poor data on those living here or overseas means many are denied benefits, GAO found.

Rather than defend a law that the president loves, the VA will reinstate a hospital director whom it twice tried to fire.

"You don’t want to come forward," one whistleblower said. "People are afraid."

Behind Miller’s growing lobbying portfolio lies one of the biggest unexamined shifts in Washington’s influence game.

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