Congressional leaders have a deal in place to patch a nearly $3 billion shortfall on Department of Veterans Affairs funding that risks endangering benefits payments as soon as next month, but veterans advocates said they are reluctant to celebrate until the final details are worked out.
“When we see votes that are yes and then the dollars are actually sent to the [Treasury Department], then that will relieve our sense of urgency,” said Pat Murray, legislative director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars . “A proposed solution is not enough, we need an actual solution.”
VA officials have warned that because of increased medical care and benefits applications in recent months, the department’s budget is roughly $2.9 billion short for this fiscal year and about $12 billion short in projected fiscal 2025 needs.
The funds for next year likely will be negotiated as part of a broader federal budget package to be completed sometime this fall.
But VA leaders on Tuesday testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee that without a solution to the other funding gap by Sept. 20, some benefits checks to veterans and dependents could be delayed in October.