“If Congress fails to pass a full-year budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the next few months, the funding shortfall would have “serious ramifications” for veterans medical services, according to the department’s secretary.”
“’I’m very concerned about a full-year [budget extension], and we’ve communicated that concern to lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats,’ said Secretary Denis McDonough during a press conference on Thursday.”
“’There will be very serious ramifications for community care. There’ll be very serious ramifications for direct care. I am very concerned about that.'”
“A day earlier, House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and the panel’s subcommittee chairs released a statement urging Republican colleagues to “come to the table” and help finalize the annual appropriations process in coming weeks.”
“The group said a lengthy budget extension would be “nothing short of catastrophic” for numerous government agencies.”
“In September, lawmakers approved a short-term extension of the federal budget until Dec. 3 in order to give them more time to work out funding disputes between the two parties. Lawmakers are expected to do another extension when they return from Thanksgiving recess later this month, since many of those disagreements have not yet been resolved.”
“That has prompted discussion about simply running all federal operations on fiscal 2021 spending levels throughout fiscal 2022. White House officials have decried as dangerous for a host of defense and domestic priorities, since money for new program starts and expansions would not be made available to government agencies…” Read the full article here.
Source: Budget delay could cause major problems for veterans medical care – By Leo Shane III, November 18, 2021. Military Times.
