PRESS RELEASE
House Passes Bill to Add Stability to Veterans' Funding
October 8, 2009
Washington DC -- The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill that would provide a steadier and more predictable funding stream for the Veterans Administration.
The Veterans Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (HR1016) is designed to address instability in funding for veterans’ health care, which is subject to annual approval by Congress. Only once in the last 12 years have appropriations for the Veterans Administration been enacted on time.
Under the new legislation, Congress will be required to secure health care funds one year in advance, providing the VA with sufficient time to determine how best to deliver health care services.
Veterans’ organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS and the Disabled American Veterans support the legislation.
The Democratic leadership of the 111th Congress has pursued an aggressive legislative agenda in support of America’s veterans. The House has already passed bills focused on ending veteran homelessness (HR1171), assisting veteran caregivers (HR3155) and expanding the educational opportunities available to veterans and their dependents (HR5740). By itself, the stimulus bill contains $1.4 billion in increases for veterans’ funding.
The Veterans Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act received overwhelming and bipartisan support, and was approved by the House, 416-1.
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