Bill Summary
The "VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act" aims to address funding shortfalls within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation mandates the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a review of the funding issues affecting the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024 and the Veterans Health Administration for fiscal year 2025.
Key provisions include:
1. **Review Requirements**: Within 30 days of enactment, the Comptroller General must start a review to identify the causes of funding shortfalls, comparing actual expenditures against the VA's spending plan, analyzing any account transfers, and evaluating the accuracy of budget projections.
2. **Annual Reviews**: For five consecutive years following the Act's enactment, the Comptroller General is required to conduct similar reviews for the most recent fiscal year and submit reports on the findings.
3. **Reporting Obligations**: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit the Comptroller General's reports to the relevant congressional committees within 30 days of receipt, ensuring transparency and accountability regarding the funding situation.
Overall, this legislation aims to enhance oversight and accountability in the budgeting process for the VA, ensuring that veterans receive the benefits and health care they need.
Possible Impacts
The "VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act" can affect people in several ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Transparency for Veterans**: The act mandates the Comptroller General to conduct reviews and report on funding shortfalls within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This increased scrutiny can lead to greater transparency regarding how veterans' benefits and health services are funded. Veterans and their families will have access to reports that detail financial management, potentially leading to better-informed decisions and advocacy for their needs.
2. **Improved Services for Veterans**: By identifying the causes of funding shortfalls and suggesting remedial actions, the act aims to enhance the financial stability of the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Health Administration. This can result in improved services, timely processing of benefits, and better healthcare access for veterans, directly impacting their quality of life and well-being.
3. **Accountability in Government Spending**: The requirement for ongoing reviews and reports by the Comptroller General holds the VA accountable for its budgeting and spending practices. This accountability could lead to more efficient use of resources, ensuring that funds are allocated where they are most needed, thereby potentially reducing wait times for benefits and healthcare services for veterans. Additionally, it could prompt legislative changes to prevent future funding shortfalls, benefiting the veteran community as a whole.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1823 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.1823
One Hundred Nineteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday,
the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-five
An Act
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Comptroller General
of the United States to report on certain funding shortfalls in the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``VA Budget Shortfall Accountability
Act''.
SEC. 2. FUNDING SHORTFALLS IN CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: REVIEWS; REPORTS.
(a) First GAO Review.--
(1) Review required.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall begin a review regarding the circumstances
surrounding, and the causes of--
(A) the shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Benefits
Administration for fiscal year 2024; and
(B) the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans
Health Administration in fiscal year 2025.
(2) Elements.--The review under this subsection shall include
the following elements:
(A) A comparison of monthly obligations and expenditures in
relevant accounts against the spending plan of the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
(B) Any transfers between accounts described in
subparagraph (A).
(C) The reasons for any significant diversions of
obligations or expenditures from such spending plan.
(D) An analysis of the accuracy of any projections or
estimates relevant to diversions described in subparagraph (C).
(E) Remedial actions the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
take--
(i) to improve the accuracy of supporting information
submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States
Code, with respect to the Department; and
(ii) to prevent funding shortfalls for the Department.
(3) Report.--Not later than 30 days after completing such
review, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs a written report containing the results and
findings of such review.
(b) Subsequent GAO Reviews.--In each of the five calendar years
following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall conduct a review including the elements described in
subsection (a)(2), and submit a report described in subsection (a)(3),
regarding the funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the
most recent fiscal year to end before the date of such review.
(c) Reports of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--Not later than
30 days after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives a report of
the Comptroller General under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary
shall submit such report to--
(1) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Senate; and
(2) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.