Metro East Sun

Today, the House of Representatives convened to deliberate on H.R. 9468, the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act. This bill proposes $3 billion in mandatory funding for certain veteran benefits while holding the Biden-Harris Administration accountable for budgetary miscalculations that led to an unprecedented shortfall. The measure passed by voice vote.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson stated, "This egregious miscalculation by the Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs has not only raised serious questions but exposed a grave failure. Preventing any potential lapse in our veterans' benefits remains top priority for Congress. Our veterans earned these benefits through their unwavering service and sacrifice, and it should never be jeopardized because of this Administration’s negligence. I thank Rep. Mike Garcia for his leadership on this bill to ensure veteran benefits remain uninterrupted and hold the Administration accountable for its budgeting errors."

House Appropriations Committee Member Mike Garcia commented, “My district is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country—men and women who served not for glory, but out of a deep belief in this nation. That trust was tested by the VA’s budget failures, putting millions of veterans at risk of losing their benefits. Thankfully, the House came together in a rare moment of bipartisanship to pass my bill that prevents this disaster and demands accountability with real oversight to make sure every dollar is spent right. Our veterans deserve better than bureaucratic incompetence, and we’re one step closer to fixing this broken system.”

House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bost added, “Veterans and their families should never be left in limbo because the Biden-Harris administration and VA can’t get their act together and properly manage the budget for veterans’ benefits. Today with the passage of H.R. 9468, House Republicans, led by my fellow veteran, Rep. Garcia, would ensure that no veteran’s disability compensation or education benefits are delayed. Through this bill, we are carrying out our responsibility to protect veterans and taxpayers and hold VA accountable for their budgeting mess. I urge the Senate to pass this bill and send it to the president’s desk as quickly as possible.”

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole remarked, “Generation after generation, America continually stands as a beacon of freedom because of those who serve. We owe these heroes a simple promise: they’ll be taken care of when they return home. Our veterans should never be without the benefits they earned, and today’s vote is principal to that. The Biden-Harris Administration’s reckless mismanagement of the VA’s budget threatened resources relied on by former service members and marked one of the largest financial discrepancies in recent history. This incompetence won’t be tolerated."

House Appropriations Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Judge Carter said, “The nation owes our freedoms to the men and women that served our country; in return we made a commitment to them.” He emphasized rectifying administrative errors affecting veterans.

House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert noted,“It’s critical that VA take necessary steps to avoid such situations in future.” He called upon swift Senate approval.

House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao stressed accountability measures included within H.R 9468 saying,"Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices...we owe it them."

Background information reveals Department Veteran Affairs (VA) failed proper budgeting causing unprecedented shortfall covering Fiscal Year 2024-25 periods prompting need additional funds approximately $15 billion above initial request including immediate $3 billion gap filling under HR9468 alongside accountability reporting mandates ensuring fiscal prudence moving forward avoiding similar recurrence impacting essential services rendered American military personnel past present serving various capacities domestically globally securing national interests preserving freedoms enjoyed across states nationwide

In addition several other bills passed including:

H.R 6324 - FY24 Veterans Major Medical Facility Authorization

H.R 7777 - Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment

H.R 7100 - Prioritizing Survivors Act

H.R 4424 - Vietnam Liver Fluke Cancer Study

H.R 7816 - Clear Communication Claims

H.R 7342 - Accessibility Advisory Committee

HR5464 - Naming Guntersville Clinic Colonel Ola Lee Mize

HR4190 Restoring Defrauded Benefits

HR2911 Fairness Servicemembers Families Act