The House of Representatives has passed the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, allocating $3 billion in mandatory funding to address a shortfall in veteran benefits. The measure was approved by voice vote.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) commented, "This egregious miscalculation by the Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs has not only raised serious questions but exposed a grave failure. Preventing any potential lapse in our veterans' benefits remains top priority for Congress. Our veterans earned these benefits through their unwavering service and sacrifice, and it should never be jeopardized because of this Administration’s negligence. I thank Rep. Mike Garcia for his leadership on this bill to ensure veteran benefits remain uninterrupted and hold the Administration accountable for its budgeting errors."
House Appropriations Committee Member Mike Garcia (R-CA) stated, “My district is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country—men and women who served not for glory, but out of a deep belief in this nation. That trust was tested by the VA’s budget failures, putting millions of veterans at risk of losing their benefits. Thankfully, the House came together in a rare moment of bipartisanship to pass my bill that prevents this disaster and demands accountability with real oversight to make sure every dollar is spent right. Our veterans deserve better than bureaucratic incompetence, and we’re one step closer to fixing this broken system.”
House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) added, “Generation after generation, America continually stands as a beacon of freedom because of those who serve. We owe these heroes a simple promise: they’ll be taken care of when they return home. Our veterans should never be without the benefits they earned, and today’s vote is principal to that. The Biden-Harris Administration’s reckless mismanagement of the VA’s budget threatened resources relied on by former service members and marked one of the largest financial discrepancies in recent history. This incompetence won’t be tolerated. I’m proud to act to ensure veteran benefits remain secure and enact needed oversight to guarantee full accountability and transparency.”
House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Judge Carter (R-TX) remarked, “The nation owes our freedoms to the men and women that served our country and in return, we made a commitment to them. The VA’s mismanagement is unfair to America’s veterans and a glaring example of the games this administration plays with our heroes. Today, House Republican appropriators made sure to right the administration’s wrongs and ensure veterans receive the benefits they’re owed.”
House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA) noted, “Today, the House upheld its commitment to our veterans by ensuring they continue to receive the benefits they have earned. It’s critical the VA take the necessary steps to avoid this situation in the future. I hope this legislation is quickly approved by the Senate and signed into law by the President to relieve any concerns our veterans may have about receiving their benefits.”
House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao (R-CA) emphasized, “The VA failed to properly manage their budget this year, putting benefits for millions of veterans at risk. This is unacceptable, and we cannot allow our veterans to pay the price for the VA’s mismanagement. This legislation makes good on our nation’s commitment to care for the men and women who served our country while taking critical steps to ensure the VA is held accountable. Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and we owe it to them to ensure they have access to the benefits they’ve earned.”
House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL) said, “Veterans and their families should never be left in limbo because the Biden-Harris administration and VA can’t get their act together and properly manage the budget for veterans’ benefits. Today with passage of H.R. 9468, House Republicans led by my fellow veteran Rep. Garcia would ensure that no veteran’s disability compensation or education benefits are delayed. Through this bill we are carrying out our responsibility to protect veterans and taxpayers while holding VA accountable for their budgeting messes."
Background information reveals that due to budgeting errors within Veteran Affairs’ projections regarding enrollment growth and staffing costs resulted in an unprecedented funding shortfall affecting veteran benefits for Fiscal Year 2024 into Fiscal Year 2025.
In July 2024—the House Appropriations Committee was notified four months post Budget Request submission—of an approximate $15 billion need above initial requests including $3 billion immediately required within FY24 towards Compensation/Pensions/Readjustment Benefits; another $12 billion needed throughout FY25 specifically covering discretionary funds directed towards medical care.
This Act directly addresses identified $3 billion deficit—Congressional Budget Office confirms no net budgetary effects anticipated—while stipulating mandated reports from Administration explaining causative factors alongside corrective measures aiming accurate future projections thus ensuring ongoing fiscal oversight/transparency.
