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All Senate Appropriations Committee News
Top stories summarized by our editors
Top stories summarized by our editors

VA aims to make virtual care permanent for veterans

6/30/2021

Veterans' use of telehealth significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with online video appointments increasing eighteenfold compared with use before spring 2020. "Nearly 2 million vets have had one or more episodes of video care. That tells us that there's massive demand," VA secretary Denis McDonough said during an appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee, adding that the VA wants virtual care access to be permanent because it provides "ease of access for vets who don't need to be seen in person."

VA aims to make virtual care permanent for veterans

6/25/2021

Veterans' use of telehealth significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with online video appointments increasing eighteenfold compared with use before spring 2020. "Nearly 2 million vets have had one or more episodes of video care. That tells us that there's massive demand," VA Secretary Denis McDonough said during an appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee, adding that the VA wants virtual care access to be permanent because it provides "ease of access for vets who don't need to be seen in person."

Granholm: US has to act on emissions reduction targets

6/24/2021

The US must move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions regardless of China's adherence to Paris Agreement targets, although the Biden administration is optimistic the world will see cooperation from China and India, testified Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Granholm also said the passage of the American Jobs Act "would position our country to compete at a global clean energy market and would confront the climate crisis and create millions of good paying jobs."

Navy evaluates long-range shipbuilding plan

6/18/2021

The US Navy is evaluating its fleet structure and has not provided information to Congress for shipbuilding past next year. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the department supports a fleet of 355 ships.

Democratic senator questions Haaland on oil, gas program

6/17/2021

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., expressed concern about the impact of the oil and natural gas leasing pause on the industry and asked Interior Secretary Deb Haaland when the oil and gas program review would be completed and what it will cover. Haaland replied that the review would be finished early this summer.

Reserve, Guard leaders testify before Senate subcommittee

5/19/2021

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau; Air Force Reserve chief Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee; Army Reserve chief Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels; Navy Reserve chief Adm. John Mustin; and US Marine Corps Reserve commander Lt. Gen. David Bellon testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense on Tuesday, addressing issues including modernization, staffing, health care benefits, COVID-19 and strategy. Hokanson stressed the need for all service members in the National Guard to have access to free health care.

Biden Cabinet pitches infrastructure plan to senators

4/21/2021

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge have appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to seek support for the Biden administration's $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan. President Joe Biden has challenged Republicans to bring an alternative proposal by mid-May. A group of Republican senators has floated a counteroffer worth $600 billion to $800 billion, paid for with user fees and unpaid COVID-19 relief funds.

N.D. universities' leader testifies about budget plan

1/21/2021

North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani testified before the state's Senate Appropriations committee about Gov. Doug Burgum's planned 7.5% budget cut -- about $5 million -- for the university system. Bresciani said the cuts would dilute the schools' quality, result in additional job cuts and likely prompt students to head to out-of-state colleges.

C-130J popular with Congress

11/23/2020

Lawmakers in the House and Senate are pushing for more C-130Js for US military operations, with the Senate Appropriations Committee adding $760 million for Air Force acquisitions of C-130Js. "The C-130 has been the most plus-upped aircraft in history," said Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group.

C-130J popular with Congress

11/17/2020

Lawmakers in the House and Senate are pushing for more C-130Js for US military operations, with the Senate Appropriations Committee adding $760 million for Air Force acquisitions of C-130Js. "The C-130 has been the most plus-upped aircraft in history," said Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group.