Veterans Funding Bill Pushed By Republican Majority Would Increase Massive VA Backlog and Dramatically Underfund Veterans' Healthcare -- Amid New Opposition From Nation's Largest Vets Group, Senate Dems Say Legislation On Floor Shortchanges Our Vets

Press Release

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and U.S Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), criticized the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill on the floor today, for failing to adequately fund veterans' health and other key programs veterans rely upon. Senate Republicans are once again bringing up Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill despite the knowledge that bill will not pass. The MilCon-VA bill reduces funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by over $1.2 billion below the President's request. Senate Democrats demand a level of funding that addresses the healthcare gaps and massive backlog affecting the VA today, as part of an overall budget deal that adequately funds our national and economic security.

"Funding the VA honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. Unfortunately, even as our veterans too often wait too long for the health care they need and deserve, this Republican bill slashes necessary funding required to solve daunting problems, instead taking from those who already have given so much to our country and committing a serious breach of faith with those who served. This bill includes insufficient funding for medical services even as demand has dramatically increased. At a time when VA is struggling to recruit the doctors, nurses, and other providers necessary to provide timely healthcare services to veterans, this bill slashes $255 million for hiring and retention of those on the front lines of veterans care. A VA bill that raids medical services and seriously underfunds veterans is a budget of misplaced values," said Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

"The Senate version of the bill still underfunds veterans by approximately $857 million. This comes at a time when the VA is faced with an unprecedented demand for services, in terms of both numbers and complexity," said the National Commander of the nation's largest veterans group, the American Legion, in letters to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid.

Source