Quill Lawrence

Filing a new claim for disability with the Department of Veterans Affairs can be complicated, and some veterans turn to for-profit companies to help.

But it's illegal to charge veterans to file an initial claim.

The loophole is that Congress removed the criminal penalties for breaking that law 20 years ago.

Since then, an entire industry has grown, sometimes charging vets tens of thousands of dollars from their newly awarded benefits.

An NPR investigation spoke with dozens of veterans who have used claims companies.

While some vets said the service was worth it, many described charges for work they had to do themselves and being hounded by companies to pay up.

Two competing bills in Congress aim to fix the loophole, but neither is expected to pass soon.

Quill Lawrence, NPR News.

One of the strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in September left survivors.

They were killed by a second U.S.

attack.

Military experts say that would be a war crime or, with no declared war, simply murder.

NPR and others reported that the second strike was authorized by HEGSETH.

President Trump said he knew nothing about it, and the White House says Navy Admiral Frank Bradley carried out the order, including the second strike that killed all survivors.

But a U.S.

official who was not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Hegseth was the target engagement authority and gave an either verbal or written command to the admiral, ordering two strikes to kill and two additional strikes to sink the boat.

Hegseth is expected to appear soon in Congress to defend the controversial strikes.

Quill Lawrence, NPR News.

One of the strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in September left survivors.

They were killed by a second U.S.