A group of Veteran Services Organizations came together in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to urge Congress to solve the Department of Veterans Affairs budget shortfall and end what they called divisive partisan politics.
In July, VA notified Congress of a nearly $3 billion funding deficit for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year. The gap would impact compensation, pension and readjustment benefit payments, according to VA.
Edward Reese, executive director Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters, noted that political finger-pointing over who is to blame for the shortfall has occurred on both sides of the aisle and Pennsylvania Avenue.
“No matter who you believe is at fault, what’s absolutely clear is that veterans, survivors and caregivers share none of the blame, but they are the very ones who will be hurt if Congress, the VA and White House don’t solve the problem,” he said.
If the additional funding is not provided by Sept. 20, payments scheduled for Oct. 1 would be delayed, VA has cautioned.
“That will mean six million veterans scheduled to receive disability compensation payments, 500,000 survivors awaiting their checks and another 250,000 veterans and survivors expecting pension benefits would not receive this critical support,” Reese said.
During a call with reporters on Monday, Dr. Sheeef Elnahal said VA also anticipates a $12 billion shortfall next year.
"We have been on an unprecedented outreach campaign to get more veterans into the system," he said. "So, if we have to be in a position to say, 'Well, we can't financially support the next set of veterans who can come into care, reduce their risk for suicide, get the highest quality care available,' then that would be a decision that we don't want to make. It's not commensurate with the promise that we've made to folks who wore the uniform and defended our freedom."
Jose Ramos, vice president of government and community relations for Wounded Warrior Project, said that when VSOs advocated for the passage of the PACT ACT, the largest expansion of VA health care and benefits in generations, they made a request.
“When we advocated for this we also asked Congress to fully fund and ensure the VA has the right amount of resources and staff to successfully implement the PACT act so veterans can get their care,” Ramos said.
Ramos said more than 740,000 veterans have signed up for VA health care and benefits since the PACT Act was signed into law two years ago.
“Freezing the budget at FY 24 levels does not allow the VA to implement, continue to hire and staff to provide the care that veterans earned and deserve, specifically those exposed to toxic exposures,” he said.
American Legion Legislative Director Julia Mathis said the possibility of benefits payments being at risk also impacts veterans mental health.
“Just imagine being a veteran who lives paycheck to paycheck and being notified by VA that your compensation is going to be delayed in October due to these shortfalls. Imagine telling your children you can’t buy school clothes or talking with your spouse about which bills you’re going to pay this month and facing possible eviction from your home.”
House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif) introduced legislation on Sept. 5 that would cover the VA shortfall for this month. A vote could take place on the bill early next week. The Senate would then have to take up the legislation.
“While Congress and VA and the White House have been debating on how to fill the funding gap, many veterans are left to worry about they’ll just pay their mortgage, pay their bills, put gasoline in their cars and food on their tables,” said Reese.
In addition to the American Legion, DAV and WWP, representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Milit;ary Officers of America, Students Veterans of America and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors also spoke at the Sept. 11 press conference.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.