Wicker: Honor Veterans by Reforming the VA

It was fitting that Americans celebrated this year's Veterans Day less than a week after holding national elections. Without the sacrifices made by many men and women, we would never be able to participate in that core American tradition. My wife, Gayle, and I spent the holiday weekend visiting with students and veterans. We shared the history of Veterans Day with the rising generation and joined a parade honoring those who have served.

Around 146,000 veterans call Mississippi home. Across our state, private citizens and government officials have taken steps to give back to them. Schools and companies hold events to express gratitude to veterans. Restaurants and stores frequently offer military discounts. State leaders offer tuition and employment assistance to military families. At the federal level, veteran services are handled through the Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly called the VA.

Holding VA Officials Accountable

The VA was officially established in 1930, but its mission has been an important American ideal since our founding: to care for veterans, especially those wounded in service. Unfortunately, VA mismanagement has prevented the department from fully realizing that goal. In Congress, I have been exercising my oversight and legislative roles, helping to identify and solve obstacles to veteran assistance.

In September, the VA falsely raised alarms when it announced the department would hit a $15 billion shortfall. Such sloppy budgeting is always unacceptable, but matters got worse. Officials also told Congress that $3 billion of that total would affect millions of veterans' benefits before 2024 ended. Congress could not leave recipients in a lurch, and I joined a majority of my colleagues to approve an emergency $3 billion funding measure for the VA. In response, I supported another bill, the PRO Veterans Act, to investigate the situation. That legislation would have studied the cause of the issue and withheld bonuses from senior leaders who allow similar accounting messes.

As it turned out, the entire effort was unnecessary. As a result of congressional oversight, officials confessed that there had never been a shortfall risk. In fact, the department would have had a $2 billion surplus even without Congress' assistance. The VA's budget catastrophe does not inspire confidence in its ability to care for American veterans.

Allow Small Business to Compete for VA Work

The department further weakens its image by mishandling its acquisition process. The VA regularly purchases supplies from a variety of contractors, but small businesses have reported difficulty competing for deals. This is the case even though veterans own one in 10 small businesses in Mississippi. I have introduced legislation, the Vetting for Equal Treatment of Small (VETS) Business Act, that would encourage the VA to increase competition in its contracting process. The VETS Business Act would reduce inefficient use of taxpayer money and benefit veterans' enterprises - a timely reminder as we celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week every November.

Veterans' Advocate at the VA

While I work to reduce the federal bureaucracy, members of my staff help Mississippians navigate these government departments. Those interested in learning more can visit wicker.senate.gov/help-with-federal-agencies.

Military service runs in my family and is a pillar of Mississippi culture. As Congress returns to Washington now and begins a new session in January, I will continue working to honor those who have given so much for us.