Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) has joined a letter to Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) demanding greater accountability and oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after a multi-billion-dollar budget fiasco.
The letter was led by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and co-signed by a total of 16 U.S. Senators.
The senators wrote:
“Just a few short months ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) notified Committee members of a looming $3 billion shortfall that would prevent the Department from delivering benefit payments to veterans and their dependents by October 1, 2024, unless Congress provided the Department with an emergency supplemental appropriation. Now, we have learned that the alleged $2.883 billion shortfall did not exist. In fact, the VA ended Fiscal Year 2024 with a $5.1 billion surplus. Whether by negligence or deceit, this is a stunning about-face that demands our attention.”
“The VA’s mismanagement caused significant stress on veterans who rely on these benefits, and our veterans deserve stability and accountability from VA employees…Congress should not expand the authority of the VA while the Department is still unable to manage its existing authorities without guardrails. We must include the PRO for Veterans Act in any moving legislation.”
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