Military

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) reintroduced the Afghanistan Vetting and Accountability Act, a bill to strengthen vetting procedures for Afghans who were evacuated to the United States following Joe Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. In the wake of the deadly attack on the National Guard by one of these evacuees, Senator Hawley’s bill would require in-person interviews and vetting of all Afghan evacuees. “Joe Biden didn’t just botch our...

Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) issued the following statement on the passage of the Senate's National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026 NDAA): "Tonight the Senate has adopted my legislation protecting Ft. Leonard Wood's vital hospital from being downgraded or closed. This is a huge win for Missouri. The defense bill passed tonight also enacts President Trump’s national security priorities, gives our troops a 3.8% pay raise, and makes needed defense...

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Acting Director of the Defense Health Agency Dr. David J. Smith urging him not to downgrade Fort Leonard Wood’s newly built hospital, citing readiness and training issues.Senator Hawley wrote, “I write with great concern over reports that the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is considering downgrading the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital to a clinic. I urge you to reconsider this and ensure that Fort Leonard...

Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced that he will introduce legislation to fully fund the replacement of all aging military family housing at Fort Leonard Wood. The bill comes after Hawley has already secured $113.5 million in federal funding for Fort Leonard Wood through FY2023 and FY2024 appropriations. Construction on new family housing at the base will begin this year. “We have fought long and hard for the soldiers and families at Fort Leonard Wood because they...

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) voted for passage of the Servicemember Quality of Life and National Defense Authorization Act which allocates billions to Missouri defense projects, including updates to Fort Leonard Wood's training barracks and new weapons systems for Whiteman Air Force Base. Senator Hawley led the charge to strip a preliminary provision in this year's defense bill that would have registered women for the draft. This language was notably dropped from final...