Groups Urge Support of Garcia’s VA Supplemental Bill

As the House prepares to consider the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, key groups have urged Congress to pass the legislation.

The bill, introduced by House Appropriations Committee Member Mike Garcia (R-CA), ensures veteran benefits remain uninterrupted and holds the Biden-Harris Administration accountable for its egregious budgeting errors.

THE AMERICAN LEGION

“On behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members, The American Legion proudly supports H.R. 9468, the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act. This critical legislation addresses the $3 billion shortfall in disability compensation and pension benefits for our veterans, while holding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable by requiring a report detailing how VA will prevent future shortfalls. We applaud Congressman Mike Garcia’s leadership on this, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass this bill and send it to the President's desk without delay. Further postponement will erode trust in our government and exacerbate the financial hardship faced by our veteran community.” – James A. LaCoursiere, National Commander, The American Legion

AMVETS

“The Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act takes critical steps forward to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs’ multi-billion dollar shortfall does not happen again. Funding and benefit gaps are unacceptable to us and the veterans we serve, and Congress must continue to hold the VA accountable for the excessive spending, potential waste, and ineffective programs that put us in this position.” – Joe Chenelly, National Executive Director, AMVETS

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

“In mid-July, VA reported to Congress that it expected to be nearly $3 billion short in appropriations to close out fiscal year 2024 which would mean benefits payments would not be delivered. Veterans who are on a fixed income rely on these timely payments to ensure that they can keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Veterans should not have to pay the price for budgetary miscalculations. The VFW is grateful that Representatives Garcia, Cole, Carter, Valadao, and Bost have stepped up to provide a solution to this problem, and we look forward to working with them to ensure this does not happen again in the future.” – Pat Murray, Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars

JEWISH WAR VETERANS

“Jewish War Veterans supports the VBA Supplemental for approximately $3B. Millions of veterans and their families rely on these earned benefits each month to make ends meet, and many cannot afford to delay these payments even one day. The bill's passage provides mandatory funding to support veterans’ pensions and benefits for the remaining months of the current fiscal year. Veterans and their beneficiaries should not be at risk of receiving VA disability compensation and other benefits.” – Gary Ginsburg, US Army, Retired, JWV National Commander 2024-2025

CONCERNED VETERANS FOR AMERICA

“This bill addresses the budget shortfall at the VA that has recently come to light. CVA recognizes the need to keep operations at the VA funded in order to ensure that patients within the VA’s health care system continue to receive continued critical health care. It is unacceptable that a lack of basic fiscal responsibility has endangered our nation’s veterans’ wellbeing. This bill covers the recent shortfall while providing for the desperately needed robust oversight of the VA's budget process. Spending accountability at the VA is long overdue, and it is unfortunate that lack of responsibility there put veterans at risk.” – John Byrnes, Strategic Director, Concerned Veterans for America

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

“As Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA), I am reaching out to express the County’s support of your legislation H.R. 9468, which will provide nearly $3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 and close the existing gap in funding for veterans’ benefits. The County of Los Angeles realizes the importance of this legislation, and that H.R. 9468 ensures veterans continue to receive their benefits payments without interruption or delay, which could otherwise impact the ability of veterans, their caregivers and survivors to pay for needed services and basic necessities. More specifically, the MVA assess that without emergency supplemental appropriations, more than 68,000 veterans in the County of Los Angeles are at risk of not receiving the benefits they rely on which total approximately $319.7 million each month.” – Jim Zenner, Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, County of Los Angeles

THE INDEPENDENCE FUND

“Disabled veterans, their caregivers and families rely on VA disability compensation, but because of budget shortfalls these payments are at risk of not being paid starting in October. Any disruption to this earned benefit can be devastating to these families, many of whom are living lives without margin. That is why The Independence Fund calls on Congress to quickly pass H.R. 9468.”  – Sarah Verardo, CEO, The Independence Fund

PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA

“We have an obligation to ensure veterans, their eligible family members, and survivors receive the VA benefits they have earned. Congress must do everything in its power to fulfill the nation’s obligation to them. Rep. Garcia’s Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act would ensure VA has the necessary funds so that those who have born the battle will continue to receive their VA benefits on time.” – Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer, Paralyzed Veterans of America

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA

“VVA strongly supports the passage of this bill to continue funding for our veterans and families, we urge all representatives who support veterans to also support this critical legislation.” – James McCormick, Executive Director, Vietnam Veterans of America

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT

“Veterans should never have their financial security put at risk by late payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs for benefits they have earned.  Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act to ensure that the Veterans Benefits Administration has the resources it needs to meet its obligations to veterans and can keep the promise.” – Jose Ramos, Vice President for Government and Community Relations, Wounded Warrior Project

COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS

“On behalf of College of the Canyons and the nearly 450 student-veterans we are proud to serve, I am writing to express our strong support for the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 authored by Rep. Mike Garcia from California’s 27th District. This timely legislation comes in response to a recently reported $2.8 billion funding shortfall at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the current fiscal year. Immediate action is needed to ensure there are no lapses in veterans benefit funding. If approved by Sept. 20, the legislation will ensure veterans benefits payments are paid on time beginning October 1… We respectfully urge you to bring this legislation forward for approval in your committees as soon as possible to prevent any delays in providing benefits to our veterans, which they earned through their dedicated service in defense of our country.” – Dr. David Andrus, J.D., Interim Superintendent/President, College of the Canyons

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