Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), alongside several colleagues, has joined a letter led by Senator Kevin Cramer to SVAC Chairman Sen. Jon Tester. The letter demands an immediate hearing regarding a $15 billion budget shortfall announced by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

This shortfall is reportedly the largest in VA history and includes $2.88 billion related to compensation, pension, and readjustment benefit payments at the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA). Additionally, $11.97 billion pertains to medical care accounts at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

The senators expressed concern over this financial gap, which deviates significantly from the FY 2025 budget request presented by the Biden-Harris administration just four months ago. "The sudden nature of the issue, and the sheer financial volume of the request, are both cause for concern and call into question the information previously reported by VA," they wrote.

They urged Chairman Tester to schedule a hearing with VA officials to examine how mismanagement might have contributed to this situation. The committee's role in overseeing hiring needs and shifting strategies was also highlighted as factors needing evaluation.

"Our Committee is directly responsible for conducting rigorous oversight and this budget shortfall proves that VA is in desperate need of scrutiny and accountability," stated the senators. They emphasized that their duty persists despite an upcoming five-week Senate recess.

"The answers and accountability owed to our veterans cannot wait until the Senate returns on September 9," they concluded, stressing urgency in addressing potential disruptions in benefits payments.

Senators Marsha Blackburn, Mike Rounds, Thom Tillis, and Tommy Tuberville also signed onto this request for oversight.