House Appropriations Committee Member Mike Garcia (R-CA), along with House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Judge Carter (R-TX), Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA), Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao (R-CA), and House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), have introduced the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act. The bill aims to ensure uninterrupted veteran benefits and hold the Administration accountable for budgeting errors.
Garcia stated, “The Biden-Harris Administration's reckless mismanagement of the VA's budget has led to a crisis that puts veterans' benefits at risk. This isn't just about a funding shortfall—it's about holding the Administration accountable for its failures. We cannot simply throw more money at a broken system and enable further waste and mismanagement. My bill is focused on both ensuring our veterans receive the care they've earned and demanding accountability from those in charge. We need to fix what's broken, not just fund it, and make sure our heroes are never left behind by the failures of this Administration.”
Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole commented, “Our veterans defended our nation and values. They earned care and benefits through their service, and Congress won’t tolerate department mismanagement that threatens resources they rely on. This shortfall is a glaring failure by the Biden-Harris Administration and its VA, marking one of the largest financial discrepancies in recent history. It also reflects a grave departure from their budget submission provided mere months ago. Our heroes deserve more than this incompetence. Through this bill, we ensure that promised benefits remain secure and enact needed oversight to guarantee full accountability and transparency.”
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Carter remarked, “We made a promise to America’s veterans, and this supplemental is Congress’ way of fulfilling that promise by ensuring they receive the benefits they’re owed. While House Republicans are going to do what’s necessary to take care of our heroes, I am gravely disappointed that the VA has irresponsibly put veterans in this position. The veterans’ benefits that are at risk with this shortfall are crucial to veterans’ livelihoods, and the mismanagement by the VA is shameful.”
Defense Subcommittee Chairman Calvert added, “This VA supplemental bill is necessary to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they have earned. If Congress fails to act, veterans benefit funding could lapse and cause hardship to those who defended our nation. I am proud to work together with Rep. Garcia, Chairman Cole, and Chairman Bost to protect our veterans and the benefits they rely on.”
Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman Valadao said, “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. This bill addresses the immediate funding need at the VA while also taking necessary steps to ensure this kind of budget mismanagement doesn’t happen again. I’m proud to join my colleagues in ensuring veterans across the Central Valley can continue accessing their benefits. I’ll continue working to hold the VA accountable for our veterans.”
Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bost concluded, “The VA budget is serious business that has a real impact on veterans’ lives. The Biden-Harris Administration has embarrassed themselves with how poorly they have mismanaged and run VA’s budget into the ground resulting in a $15 billion dollar shortfall. That should have never happened, and the Biden-Harris VA must be held accountable. But time after time again especially when it comes to men & women who served House Republicans will always be there cleaning up this administration messes; I want thank my friend & fellow veteran Rep Mike Garcia his leadership vitally important legislation right ship ensuring continued receipt earned services/benefits."
The Department of Veteran Affairs' failure in properly budgeting for enrollment growth resulted in an unprecedented funding shortfall for Fiscal Year 2024 into Fiscal Year 2025.
The House Appropriations Committee was notified of potential shortfalls four months after Budget Request submission following FY25 legislation markup in both chambers of Congress.
The Veterans Benefits Continuity & Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act addresses $3 billion mandatory funding shortfalls without net budget effects as estimated by Congressional Budget Office including language requiring report submissions within 30 days post-enactment addressing these errors alongside recurring fund status reports moving forward.
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