Washington Report

After 43 days of gridlock, Congress is poised to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The House returns to Washington today for a late-afternoon vote on a bipartisan funding package that would reopen federal agencies and restore normal operations.

Consideration of the association’s 2026 operating budget and legislation before Congress, including this week’s effort to end the government shutdown, will top the agenda when the NGAUS board of directors gathers Saturday for its final meeting of the year.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a comprehensive plan to accelerate the Pentagon’s acquisition process, aiming to deliver new weapons and systems faster.

Open enrollment season for TRICARE medical coverage and other federal employment benefits began Nov. 10 and runs through early December. This is the time of year when those eligible can enroll, disenroll or amend their benefits. Any changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

NGAUS retired members will be able to connect with their representatives on the association’s board of directors during a virtual meeting Nov. 20. This is the third in a series of virtual meetings with retired members that began last year.

NGAUS has been busy since the federal government shutdown began Oct. 1 informing Congress and the press on the harm the lapse in appropriations is doing to National Guard readiness and Guard Soldiers and Airmen and their families.

With a potential conflict on the horizon, the Department of War is prioritizing preserving its key military advantage over China — U.S. command and control, or C2.

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the former commander of Air Combat Command to be the Air Force’s new senior officer.

Retired Brig. Gen. Stephen Koper, the NGAUS president from 2004 to 2009, died Oct. 31. He was 84. Koper spent 32 years in uniform, all of it in the Ohio Air National Guard.

Michael Metz has joined the NGAUS communications team. His position is responsible for writing and editing news stories for NATIONAL GUARD, the association’s bi-monthly magazine, and Washington Report, the NGAUS weekly e-newsletter. He will also provide content for NGAUS.org.

NGAUS continues to lead the charge of National Guard and Reserve associations urging Congress to help pay service members during the government shutdown, which is now in its fourth week.

Mississippi Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Sawyer Walters came to Washington, D.C., last week “with a positive attitude” for the second NGAUS Capitol Summit of 2025.