U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, has announced the Senate’s passage of the Protecting Regular Order (PRO) for Veterans Act. The legislation aims to improve accountability and oversight within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) following significant budget management issues. In 2024, the VA experienced a large budget shortfall followed by a surplus, after which $10 million in bonuses were inappropriately awarded to senior management. These bonuses ranged from $40,000 to $100,000 each, surpassing the annual average of disability benefits received by veterans.
The PRO Vets Act mandates that the VA present quarterly in-person budget reports to Congress for the next three years to ensure improved oversight and financial responsibility. It also includes the provision to withhold bonuses for senior VA and Office of Management and Budget personnel in the event of future budget issues.
“America’s veterans, who’ve served and sacrificed greatly for our country, deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that is held to the highest possible standard of accountability,” Sen. Sullivan remarked. He emphasized the importance of the legislation in meeting the expectations of veterans and urged the House to pass the act, citing the need for “commonsense guardrails on VA leadership.”
