Congressional leaders included a new mandate on quarterly finance reports from Veterans Affairs leaders but no additional department funding in their year-end budget extension package unveiled this week.
VA leaders had asked for roughly $6.6 billion in extra funding for fiscal 2025 as part of the appropriations package, and said they could face problems with medical system hiring and program operations if the money is not approved by the end of the year.
But Republican lawmakers, who will control both chambers of Congress next session, have been critical of department planners for inaccurate estimates in recent months regarding potential budget shortfalls.
The short-term spending bill, expected to be voted on later this week, would fund federal agencies at fiscal 2024 levels through March 14. The new fiscal year started on Oct. 1.
VA wants $6.6B in extra funding for FY25, down from $12B request
Without a budget extension, government departments will run out of funding at midnight on Friday and be forced into a partial shutdown. Most VA operations would not be impacted by a shutdown, because the department gets the bulk of its budget a year in advance.