Early Bird Brief

GOP lawmakers push for new VA worker accountability rules

The Department of Veterans Affairs is on a hiring spree to increase its workforce. House Republicans want to make it easier for the agency to discipline poor performing workers.

Biden’s Joint Chiefs pick raises concern of military holds

Gen. CQ Brown appeared to draw broad support from senators considering his nomination to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman.

Turkey drops opposition to Sweden’s NATO bid

The night before NATO’s summit in Lithuania, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to send Sweden’s ascension protocol for joining the alliance to his nation’s parliament.

The U.S. military and its history with drag

Today, a discussion about the lengthy history of drag in the armed forces amid the Pentagon’s recent ban on drag shows at military installations.              

US to send cluster munitions to Ukraine

The Pentagon is set to announce today that it will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million.

Pentagon seeks to block foreign influence on U.S. colleges

The Defense Department is looking to protect federally funded research from foreign governments.

Biden expected to talk with Sweden’s leader on joining NATO

President Joe Biden is expected to host Sweden’s prime minister to discuss many issues, including the Nordic nation’s bid to join the Western military alliance.

Gen. Milley on Russia, China and retirement

Today, we replay the interview between Defense News' Jen Judson and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley on a wide range of issues. 

Supreme Court keeps affirmative action for service academies

Today, while the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action at civilian institutions for higher learning, justices kept the policy intact for military service academies.

NATO chief schedules talks on Sweden’s bid to join alliance

Sweden's path to NATO membership remains blocked ahead of the alliance’s summit in July.