House Approves Vet, MilCon Bill: The full House has approved the 2007 Military Construction, Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, raising VA funding by nearly 12 percent more than the amount enacted for 2006. Overall, the House version of the bill at $94.7 billion is about $80 million shy of the Administration’s request of $95.5 billion. The House would increase funding for the care of veterans returning from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq by 6.3 percent.
Small satellites meant to improve the way the U.S. measures Earth’s magnetic field—an option to expand the military’s position, navigation, and timing enterprise—launched March 30 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.