Chairman Murray Applauds OMB Clarification that VA Programs will Not Be Affected by Sequester

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, applauded a confirmation from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that the budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will not be affected by potential cuts from sequestration provisions included in the Budget Control Act of 2011. The OMB clarification comes after Murray wrote to GAO seeking clarification of a legal ambiguity in the Budget Control Act as it pertained to veterans. As a member of the Senate leadership and Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Murray worked during negotiations over the BCA in the summer of 2011 to protect veterans programs from potential cuts.

"I worked to make clear during negotiations on the Budget Control Act that veterans programs were off the table. As we all know, our veterans have already sacrificed so much, particularly over the last decade as they have borne the burden of fighting two wars.

"Meeting the tremendous challenges the VA faces is going to take sustained and stable investments in the care and benefits our veterans have earned. I am pleased this legal ambiguity has been cleared up. Our veterans deserve the peace of mind it helps to provide."

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