The passage of the supplemental appropriations act, an American Legion priority, ensured that veterans would not miss any payouts due to VA budget shortfall.
The American Legion thanked Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., for his leadership in protecting veterans’ benefits by steering the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act toward reality.
During the summer, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had reported a $3 billion budget shortfall this year and a $12 billion shortfall next year. If unresolved, the gap would have meant veterans would stop receiving benefits as of Oct. 1. Tester’s bill averted that scenario as it passed Congress and was signed into law by the president.
American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere praised Tester, other members of Congress and other veterans service organizations (VSOs).
“Without Sen. Tester’s leadership, our nation’s veterans would be facing severe financial consequences right now,” LaCoursiere said. “We are grateful for the work of Tester’s office, as well as other members of Congress, who also played instrumental roles in this 11th-hour accomplishment.”
In a statement, Tester thanked The American Legion and other VSOs for endorsing the legislation.
The American Legion prioritized passage of this legislation over the summer by engaging with key congressional staff and members, and conducting a grassroots campaign that included more than 44,000 emails being sent to members of Congress.
Additionally, The American Legion joined other VSOs to call for Congress to pass the legislation to cover the budget shortfall.
“It cannot be underestimated that the efforts throughout the VSO community had a direct influence,” LaCoursiere said. “We look forward to working closely with our VSO partners on other legislative issues that benefit our nation’s veterans.”
LaCoursiere also reiterated the call for ensuring a similar situation does not occur again.
“While we dodged a bullet this time, there is nothing in place to prevent a similar close call,” he said. “Congress needs to prioritize legislation and oversight that would hold VA accountable and identify any future accounting issues much earlier in the process. Our nation’s veterans should not be forced to live under the undue stress of uncertainty for nearly 10 weeks like they did until recently.”
- Veterans Benefits