In Washington, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), attempted to pass his Protecting Regular Order (PRO) for Veterans Act as an amendment to a VA supplemental funding package. The legislation was blocked by Senate Democrats.
The move follows the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement that the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is facing a $15 billion budget shortfall, with $3 billion needed immediately. Sen. Sullivan’s bill proposed a three-year requirement for the VA to submit quarterly, in-person budget reports to Congress to enhance oversight and financial accountability. Additionally, it included provisions to withhold bonuses for senior VA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) personnel if future financial shortfalls occur.
“Just six weeks ago, the VA informed Congress that it needs $3 billion ASAP or veterans may not get their benefits,” Sen. Sullivan stated. “This shocking screw-up is unfortunately something we see all the time from the VA—last-minute requests for money, and up to $11 million in illegal bonuses paid out to VA officials who don’t deserve it.”
Senator Sullivan emphasized that while he supports covering the shortfall to ensure veterans receive their benefits, there is also a need for accountability within the VA. He outlined his legislation’s requirements: quarterly in-person budget reports from the Secretary of the VA and withholding bonuses for senior personnel involved in any future budgetary mismanagement.
The legislation had garnered support from several Republican senators including Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).
Senator Sullivan expressed disappointment over what he perceives as repeated mismanagement at the VA. He cited past incidents such as illegal bonuses paid out to senior officials and scandals like the secret waiting list at Phoenix Veterans’ Affairs health training system which resulted in delayed care for veterans.
“We see this all the time, mismanagement, last-minute requests for money, illegal bonuses—up to $11 million just a couple months ago paid out to people in the VA who don’t deserve it,” he said.
Sullivan called for immediate hearings when news of the shortfall broke but noted that action was delayed until recently. He criticized federal employees’ remote work policies during his speech, suggesting they contribute to inefficiencies within departments like the VA.
Despite these challenges, Senator Sullivan reiterated his commitment to ensuring veterans receive their benefits while advocating for increased accountability measures within federal agencies responsible for veteran services.
