Leo Shane III
Deputy Editor
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.
All Stories By Leo
As Congress returns to DC, so does the threat of a federal shutdown
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Sept. 9, 2024.
Lawmakers unveil planned VA health reforms, but department leaders want more
Proposals before Congress would allow more veterans to seek care at private-sector doctors' offices with VA officials picking up the bill.
Federal union slams VA health reforms as dangerous for vets
AFGE officials said the new Vets CARE plan would send billions in needed funds from VA accounts to private-sector physicians.
VA releases plans for sweeping health care overhaul
The plan would ease rules concerning veterans seeking medical appointments outside the VA system at government expense, potentially sending tens of thousands of them into the private sector for care.
VA officials promise they're not looking at benefits cut this year
White House officials months ago dropped plans to trim VA Individual Unemployability benefits, but rumors about potential cuts have persisted.
VA Secretary Shulkin expects Choice funds will last until the end of 2017
The VA Secretary dismisses reports the funds will be used up well ahead of schedule, but confirms they won't last much into the new year.
Top VA health official steps down as major reforms loom
Poonam Alaigh said in a letter to staff on Monday that she was stepping aside for family reasons.
VA fires medical center director for the second time this year
The case now becomes the first test of new VA accountability rules singed into law by the president earlier this summer.
New VA claims process promises decisions within 30 days
Veterans Affairs officials on Thursday unveiled a new disability claims process they promise will result in decisions within 30 days, potentially shaving months off some veterans’ current wait.
Trump sets 2.1 percent pay raise for troops, 1.9 percent for federal workers
White House officials have informed Congress of plans to cap the federal civilian pay raise.
