Senate

Senators currently face a Friday deadline to pass a $1.3 trillion package of six spending bills, including defense, and to avoid a partial government shutdown.

The National Guard Bureau today operates with two of its four senior positions filled by leaders in an “acting” capacity with less than the correct rank. In fact, NGB has not had all four posts filled by Senate-confirmed officers of the appropriate rank in 16 months.

The Senate’s version of the annual defense policy bill passed with a critical provision to ensure the Guard has adequate funds needed to repair and maintain equipment used in state emergencies.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 28, 2025) — The voice of current and former National Guard officers nationwide is applauding a Senate bill that would ensure that every member of the National Guard and Reserves has access to health care.

Introduced by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., the Healthcare for Our Troops Act (S. 2575) would offer premium-free, zero-cost-share medical coverage to every member of the Guard and Reserve through TRICARE, the military’s health insurance program.

Legislation introduced last week by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., would ensure premium-free medical insurance coverage is provided for all members of the National Guard and Reserve.

The Senate Appropriations Committee last week approved a defense appropriations measure providing $851.9 billion in discretionary spending, which is 2.5% above the president’s fiscal 2026 request.

President Donald Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Thomas Carden, the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command, for the No. 2 position at the National Guard Bureau.

The Senate today confirmed Troy E. Meink, the National Reconnaissance Office’s principal deputy director, to serve as the 27th Secretary of the Air Force.

Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, a career Air National Guard officer, is now the president’s senior military advisor.

Retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, President Donald Trump’s pick for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during his nomination hearing Tuesday that “our number one job is to create peace through overwhelming strength, and if need be, fight and win our nation's wars."

Troy Meink, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Air Force secretary, addressed the service’s recapitulation efforts and its continuing pilot shortage during his confirmation hearing before Senate Armed Services Committee last week.