HVAC and SVAC Leaders, VSOs to Call for Extending Advance Funding of VA Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. at the House Triangle on the east front of the U.S. Capitol, leaders from the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs as well as representatives from leading veterans service organizations (VSOs) will hold a press conference to call for swift congressional approval of legislation to extend advance appropriations to all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.
Currently, Congress funds only the medical care portion of VA’s discretionary budget – roughly 86 percent of the total – one year in advance. Thanks to this advance appropriation, even during the recent budget stalemate and government shutdown, VA hospitals and clinics were able to continue operating without interruption. Other VA programs and services, including claims processing, were required to scale back operations.
Extending advance appropriations throughout VA would make it easier for the department to plan for key investments in information technology, claims processing and construction projects. It would also give Congress a greater level of oversight on multi-year funding proposals, with one year building off of the next. Additionally, extending advance appropriations to all of VA would help ensure timely, predictable funding for VA services in an era where continuing resolutions and threats of government shutdowns are all too frequent.
The following event is open to the press:
WHO: HVAC Chairman Jeff Miller, SVAC Chairman Bernie Sanders, HVAC Ranking Member Mike Michaud, SVAC Member Sen. John Boozman, SVAC Member Sen. Mark Begich, representatives from Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Military Officers Association of America
WHAT: Press Conference on Advance Funding of VA Programs
WHEN: 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 30, 2013
WHERE: House Triangle on the east front of the U.S. Capitol