Newsbytes October 24, 2025 
 

In this issue:
Bill To Fund the Troops Fails In The Senate
Pentagon Tightens Communication with Congress
Blumenthal Seeks Audit of VA Workforce Cuts
TRICARE Open Season Begins Nov. 10
 

Bill To Fund the Troops Fails In The Senate
The Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) is calling on Congress to immediately pass the Pay Our Troops Act following the Senate’s failure to advance a measure that would ensure military personnel and Department of Defense civilians continue receiving pay during the government shutdown.

On Thursday, the Senate voted 54–45 on the Republican-led proposal, falling short of the 60 votes needed to proceed. The bill sought to guarantee pay for “excepted” employees, including active-duty service members, who are required to work without compensation during the shutdown. Democratic leaders opposed the measure, arguing it would give the administration excessive discretion over who gets paid.

FRA expressed deep concern that political gridlock continues to jeopardize financial stability for service members and their families. The Association is urging both chambers to act swiftly on the Pay Our Troops Act to safeguard those serving during funding lapses.

The failure to move the legislation comes as the shutdown enters its 24rd day, with both parties locked in disagreement over broader spending and health care subsidy extensions. Although temporary Pentagon funds were used to issue paychecks on Oct. 15, the administration’s authority to continue doing so remains legally questionable.

Historically, Congress has acted in a bipartisan manner to protect military pay during shutdowns, as seen in 2013 when lawmakers approved emergency legislation to cover service members and essential Defense Department employees. FRA emphasized that this same cooperation is urgently needed again, warning that continued delays erode morale and trust across the armed forces.

FRA continues to advocate for swift passage of the Pay Our Troops Act to ensure that service members and defense personnel receive uninterrupted compensation, regardless of political impasse. Support The Pay Our Troops Act: bit.ly/4pLwBtD

Pentagon Tightens Communication with Congress
The Department of War has issued a new directive requiring all Pentagon personnel to route communications with Congress through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs (OASD-LA). The Oct. 15 memo, signed by Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg, is intended to improve coordination and alignment in congressional engagements while supporting departmental priorities such as deterrence and rebuilding the military.

Previously, military services and combatant commands handled their own congressional interactions through separate legislative offices. The new policy consolidates those functions under one office, significantly changing how the Department communicates with lawmakers.

Some lawmakers have expressed concern that the new process could restrict transparency and delay information flow. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Calif.) said, “Congress decides who Congress will talk to,” arguing that the change breaks from long-standing practice. A congressional aide warned that the additional clearance step could slow the exchange of critical information during negotiations on the fiscal 2026 defense bills.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described the change as a “pragmatic step” to improve accuracy and responsiveness, emphasizing that it does not alter how or from whom Congress receives information. The directive excludes the Inspector General’s office and preserves existing authorities for the comptroller and general counsel. Whistleblower protections and service members’ rights to communicate with Congress remain unchanged.

The memo also directs a 90-day review of congressional engagement procedures to identify inefficiencies and strengthen coordination. FRA will continue monitoring this development, as it may affect future legislative access and oversight.

Blumenthal Seeks Audit of VA Workforce Cuts
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has requested a Government Accountability Office audit into the impact of recent Department of Veterans Affairs workforce reductions on care for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. The request follows a September hearing where VA officials declined to answer questions about how Secretary Doug Collins’ hiring freezes and staffing caps have affected specialized care.

Blumenthal warned that the directives have deepened staff shortages and eroded morale across VA’s spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) network. Data from Paralyzed Veterans of America show VA operates only 639 of 990 required SCI/D beds and faces a 36 percent shortfall in acute care nurses. Veterans and caregivers testified that staffing caps have delayed care and forced cancellations of critical services.

Navy veteran Dr. Shelly Hoover, who has service-connected ALS, described the hiring freezes as devastating. “Funds for special diagnoses cannot be spent due to VA-imposed hiring caps, and this has a direct and devastating impact on my health,” she told lawmakers. Other witnesses said the inability to hire specialized staff threatens the quality and continuity of care.

Blumenthal said the VA has yet to provide requested data on staffing and bed availability. His audit request calls for a review of shortages across providers, nurses, social workers, and therapists, as well as the effects of reassignments that pull SCI/D personnel into other departments.

The audit would also examine changes in operational SCI/D beds and delays in implementing the FRA-supported Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. FRA supports full congressional oversight to ensure VA workforce policies do not compromise care for paralyzed and disabled veterans.

TRICARE Open Season Begins Nov. 10
TRICARE Open Season 2025 runs from Nov. 10 through Dec. 9, giving beneficiaries the opportunity to review, change, or confirm their health coverage for the 2026 plan year. Any changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026. TRICARE officials urge beneficiaries to verify that their current plans still meet their needs and to update personal details in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.

The open season applies to those eligible for TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, and regional variations including the U.S. Family Health Plan and TRICARE Prime Demo in Atlanta and Tampa. Active duty service members and those with TRICARE For Life are not affected.

Plan changes can be made through milConnect, by phone with regional contractors—Humana Military for the East Region (800-444-5445) and TriWest for the West Region (888-874-9378)—or by mail. Overseas beneficiaries should contact International SOS.

Residents in Atlanta and Tampa will have expanded options beginning January 2026 through the new TRICARE Prime Demo by CareSource Military & Veterans. Beneficiaries must enroll by Dec. 9 to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

The Federal Benefits Open Season, covering dental and vision plans under FEDVIP, runs from Nov. 10 through Dec. 8. Eligible beneficiaries can enroll separately. After Dec. 9, plan changes will only be allowed following a qualifying life event such as marriage, birth, or relocation. Visit TRICARE.mil/OpenSeason for plan comparisons and updates.