Pappas-Backed Bill to Safeguard Veteran Benefits Passes House with Unanimous Vote
Following his call for action, House passes Pappas-backed bill to avert funding shortfall for veterans benefits
Today, the House unanimously passed bipartisan legislation supported by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) to close a funding shortfall at the Department of Veterans Affairs and prevent 7 million veterans from seeing their benefits stopped or reduced at the end of this week. Pappas joined Rep. Mike Garcia’s (CA-27) H.R. 9468 the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act shortly after it was introduced. This bipartisan legislation would provide VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) $2.3 billion for compensation and pensions as well as $597 million for readjustment benefits.
“There is no greater promise that we make as Americans than to take care of those who have worn the uniform of this country and their families who have sacrificed alongside them,” said Congressman Pappas, Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC). “Following my calls on leadership for action, I’m pleased that the House has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to prevent 7 million veterans from seeing their benefits stopped or reduced at the end of this week. I will continue to demand answers and accountability from VA leadership, but in this serious situation, time is of the essence. Now is not the time for politics or posturing, now is the time to get the job done for our veterans just like they have done for us.”
Background:
Following the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) notification to Congress of an anticipated funding shortfall by September 20, Congressman Pappas wrote to Speaker Mike Johnson urging Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion to pass emergency supplemental funding to safeguard the benefits of millions of veterans across the country.
Pappas has consistently pressed VA on the need to effectively implement the Honoring Our PACT Act and meet the needs of veterans seeking care for toxic exposure and other issues. Pappas's VA Workforce Investment and Expansion Act, which expands VA workforce by enhancing hiring practices and incentives to recruit and retain health care professionals, was included in that legislation.
Pappas has sounded the alarm on the Veterans Affairs' Committee about VA’s concerning budgetary decisions, backlogs at VA, and addressing issues that delay veterans from accessing the care they need, including bringing to light over a year ago his concerns about increased demand on VA following the passage of the PACT Act.
In March 2023, Pappas pressed VA Secretary Denis McDonough over PACT Act implementation and has made implementation a top priority this Congress.