The House of Representatives is gearing up for an early-week vote on a veterans supplemental funding bill totaling approximately $3 billion. The bill, spearheaded by Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., aims to address the funding shortfall faced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA had warned Congress in July that it was facing a $3 billion deficit for the current fiscal year, with an additional projected shortfall of $12 billion for the following year. Failure to pass the additional funds by Sept. 20 could potentially impact 7 million veterans, jeopardizing their pension benefits, GI bill benefits, and college tuition assistance.
Garcia's bill not only seeks to provide immediate funding but also includes provisions for increased accountability within the VA. It mandates the VA to report on the shortfall to Congress and implement measures to ensure proper management of funds in the future.
The funding issue for veterans is running parallel to the broader government funding debate, with lawmakers facing a looming Oct. 1 deadline for a partial government shutdown. The House is expected to vote on a short-term fiscal year 2024 funding extension, known as a continuing resolution (CR), alongside the veterans funding bill.
Garcia emphasized the urgency of addressing the veterans' funding shortfall without tying it to other legislative initiatives. He expressed concerns about potential delays or political maneuvering that could impact the critical support needed for the veterans bill.
The bipartisan effort in the House is co-led by senior GOP lawmakers, including House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill. The Senate had previously made a similar push for veterans funding in August.
Lawmakers have less than 10 working days to resolve the broader government funding issue before the partial shutdown deadline. The House vote on the veterans supplemental funding bill is expected to take place early this week, with a focus on ensuring that essential benefits for millions of veterans are safeguarded.
