The Price Tag Goes Way Up: According to CongressDaily, the Bush Administration plans to request $160 million to help Veterans Affairs pay for the free credit monitoring and other actions related to the May 3 data theft. Some of the money would come through reprogramming within VA, which already has siphoned off $25 million to support its new call center and mailing of letters to veterans.
Congress Passes $839 Billion Budget for Defense
Feb. 3, 2026
Congress officially passed the fiscal 2026 defense spending bill Feb. 3 after a House of Representatives vote, approving $839 billion in Pentagon funding and sending the package to President Donald Trump for his signature.


