Grassley, Sullivan Push for Accountability Following VA Budget Fiasco

Grassley, Sullivan Push for Accountability Following VA Budget Fiasco

The VA needlessly demanded $3 billion taxpayer dollars from Congress for a deficit that didn't exist.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and 14 Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Veterans Affairs' Committee (SVAC) Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.) demanding enhanced oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) following a multibillion dollar budget miscommunication.

"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," the lawmakers wrote. "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 senators are also urging SVAC pass the Protecting Regular Order (PRO) for Veterans Act to enforce financial accountability measures at the VA. The Grassley-backed bill would require the VA to submit quarterly, in-person budget reports to Congress and withhold bonuses for certain senior personnel in the event of future shortfalls.

Grassley and Sullivan were joined on the letter by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Marshall (R-Kas.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Read the full letter HERE.

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