$3 Billion in VA Funding Approved!

Yesterday, the Senate approved an emergency spending bill to rectify the VA’s shortfall of almost $3 billion.

Back in July, the VA notified lawmakers of a $15 billion shortfall for fiscal years 2024 and 2025’s annual budget and specified that a bill to issue them $3 billion would have to be passed by today, September 20th, in order for 7 million veterans and survivors to receive their October benefits.

Veterans do not need to worry, as the Senate did pass for the bill for $3 billion yesterday and it is on the President’s desk to be signed today. Officials guarantee that there will be no disruption in benefit payments for October.

The VA reports that this shortfall is the result of the PACT Act that has granted benefits to more veterans than ever before. The VA now estimates that by the end of 2024, they will complete 2.5 million claims, which is 300,000 more than they originally anticipated for this year.

After the bill was signed yesterday, VA Secretary Denis McDonough tweeted, “We’re delivering more benefits to more of these heroes than ever before, and now, we can continue to do that without any interruption or delay.”

While the emergency funds have been approved on time, lawmakers have not yet acted on the remaining $12 billion deficit, which will mainly affect VA Medical Care. Both Republicans and Democrats are committed to finding a way to ensure that Veterans receive their benefits and care without delay, but there are significant debates about VA transparency and the source of the additional funds.

The VA will be under much sharper scrutiny now to ensure that funds are correctly handled and the focus on the veteran’s benefits.