VA Secretary James Nicholson told Washington Post reporters that the additional 2005 and 2006 funding was prompted by “this surge in demand from people coming back from the theater, plus a real increase in demand from veterans of other eras.” Asked if VA is now prepared to handle the load, Nicholson said, “We’re working on it for ’07 now.”
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.