Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024

Bill: 118-hr-9468
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Garcia, Mike [R-CA-27]
Introduced: 2024-09-06
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations

Budget process

Congressional oversight

Government information and archives

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2024-09-20
text: Became Public Law No: 118-82.

Summaries:
action_date: 2024-09-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024</strong></p><p>This bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and establishes reporting requirements related to VA funding and projected shortfalls.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Specifically, the bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the VBA for</p><ul><li>Compensation and Pensions, and&nbsp;</li><li>Readjustment Benefits.</li></ul><p>In addition, the bill requires the VA to report to Congress on (1) corrections the VA will make to improve forecasting, data quality, and budget assumptions relating to budget submissions for the VBA's Compensation and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits accounts; and (2) the status of funds provided to these accounts for FY2024, FY2025, and FY2026 by this or any other act.</p><p>The bill also requires the VA Office of Inspector General to report to Congress on (1) the circumstances and causes of certain funding shortfalls that the VA has projected for the VBA and the Veterans Health Administration, and (2) actions that the VA can take to improve the accuracy of the supporting information submitted with the President's budget and prevent funding shortfalls.&nbsp;</p>

action_date: 2024-09-20
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><strong>Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024</strong></p><p>This act provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and establishes reporting requirements related to VA funding and projected shortfalls.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Specifically, the act provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the VBA for</p><ul><li>Compensation and Pensions, and&nbsp;</li><li>Readjustment Benefits.</li></ul><p>In addition, the act requires the VA to report to Congress on (1) corrections the VA will make to improve forecasting, data quality, and budget assumptions relating to budget submissions for the VBA's Compensation and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits accounts; and (2) the status of funds provided to these accounts for FY2024, FY2025, and FY2026 by this or any other act.</p><p>The act also requires the VA Office of Inspector General to report to Congress on (1) the circumstances and causes of certain funding shortfalls that the VA has projected for the VBA and the Veterans Health Administration, and (2) actions that the VA can take to improve the accuracy of the supporting information submitted with the President's budget and prevent funding shortfalls.&nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9468 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 17, 2024 Received AN ACT Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, namely: Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Compensation and Pensions For an additional amount for Compensation and Pensions , $2,285,513,000, to remain available until expended. Veterans Benefits Administration Readjustment Benefits For an additional amount for Readjustment Benefits , $596,969,000, to remain available until expended. General Provisions—This Act 101. Each amount appropriated or made available by this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved. 102. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations accounts shall be available under the authorities and conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for fiscal year 2024. 103. (a) Budget formulation and forecasting Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing corrections the Department will make to improve forecasting, data quality and budget assumptions relating to budget submissions for funds provided under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits . (b) Reporting requirement Not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on status of funds made available under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 in this or any other Act: Provided, That such report shall be updated and submitted to such Committees every 90 days thereafter until September 30, 2026, and shall include information detailing any changes to estimates or assumptions on obligations and expenditures, including data supporting these changes. 104. (a) The Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a review of the circumstances surrounding and the underlying causes of the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 19, 2024, and the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 31, 2024. (b) Relating to the shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration in fiscal year 2024 and the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review shall include, but not be limited to: a comparison of monthly obligations and expenditures in relevant accounts against the spend plan of the Department; the reasons for any significant diversions of obligations or expenditures from the spend plan; an analysis of the accuracy of projections and estimates relevant to such diversions; and any other matter determined relevant by the Inspector General. (c) Relating to the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review also shall include: any changes, abnormalities, or significant events as determined significant by the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the transfer, reallocation, or other movement of funding between or within the Central Office, a Veterans Integrated Service Network, a facility, a program or office, a special purpose fund, the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation process, or the Medical Center Allocation System. (d) Actions the Department of Veterans Affairs can take to improve the accuracy of supporting information submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to prevent funding shortfalls for the Department. (e) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing the conduct and findings of the review. This Act may be cited as the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 .

Passed the House of Representatives September 17, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I One Hundred Eighteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-four H. R. 9468 AN ACT Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, namely: Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Compensation and Pensions For an additional amount for Compensation and Pensions , $2,285,513,000, to remain available until expended. Veterans Benefits Administration Readjustment Benefits For an additional amount for Readjustment Benefits , $596,969,000, to remain available until expended. General Provisions—This Act 101. Each amount appropriated or made available by this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved. 102. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations accounts shall be available under the authorities and conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for fiscal year 2024. 103. (a) Budget formulation and forecasting Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing corrections the Department will make to improve forecasting, data quality and budget assumptions relating to budget submissions for funds provided under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits . (b) Reporting requirement Not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on status of funds made available under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 in this or any other Act: Provided, That such report shall be updated and submitted to such Committees every 90 days thereafter until September 30, 2026, and shall include information detailing any changes to estimates or assumptions on obligations and expenditures, including data supporting these changes. 104. (a) The Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a review of the circumstances surrounding and the underlying causes of the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 19, 2024, and the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 31, 2024. (b) Relating to the shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration in fiscal year 2024 and the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review shall include, but not be limited to: a comparison of monthly obligations and expenditures in relevant accounts against the spend plan of the Department; the reasons for any significant diversions of obligations or expenditures from the spend plan; an analysis of the accuracy of projections and estimates relevant to such diversions; and any other matter determined relevant by the Inspector General. (c) Relating to the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review also shall include: any changes, abnormalities, or significant events as determined significant by the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the transfer, reallocation, or other movement of funding between or within the Central Office, a Veterans Integrated Service Network, a facility, a program or office, a special purpose fund, the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation process, or the Medical Center Allocation System. (d) Actions the Department of Veterans Affairs can take to improve the accuracy of supporting information submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to prevent funding shortfalls for the Department. (e) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing the conduct and findings of the review. This Act may be cited as the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 .

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9468 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, namely: Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Compensation and Pensions For an additional amount for Compensation and Pensions , $2,285,513,000, to remain available until expended. Veterans Benefits Administration Readjustment Benefits For an additional amount for Readjustment Benefits , $596,969,000, to remain available until expended. General Provisions—This Act 101. Each amount appropriated or made available by this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved. 102. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations accounts shall be available under the authorities and conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for fiscal year 2024. 103. (a) Budget formulation and forecasting Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing corrections the Department will make to improve forecasting, data quality and budget assumptions relating to budget submissions for funds provided under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits . (b) Reporting requirement Not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on status of funds made available under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 in this or any other Act: Provided, That such report shall be updated and submitted to such Committees every 90 days thereafter until September 30, 2026, and shall include information detailing any changes to estimates or assumptions on obligations and expenditures, including data supporting these changes. 104. (a) The Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a review of the circumstances surrounding and the underlying causes of the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 19, 2024, and the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 31, 2024. (b) Relating to the shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration in fiscal year 2024 and the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review shall include, but not be limited to: a comparison of monthly obligations and expenditures in relevant accounts against the spend plan of the Department; the reasons for any significant diversions of obligations or expenditures from the spend plan; an analysis of the accuracy of projections and estimates relevant to such diversions; and any other matter determined relevant by the Inspector General. (c) Relating to the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review also shall include: any changes, abnormalities, or significant events as determined significant by the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the transfer, reallocation, or other movement of funding between or within the Central Office, a Veterans Integrated Service Network, a facility, a program or office, a special purpose fund, the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation process, or the Medical Center Allocation System. (d) Actions the Department of Veterans Affairs can take to improve the accuracy of supporting information submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to prevent funding shortfalls for the Department. (e) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing the conduct and findings of the review. This Act may be cited as the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 .

Passed the House of Representatives September 17, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9468 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 6, 2024 Mr. Mike Garcia of California (for himself, Mr. Cole , Mr. Carter of Texas , Mr. Calvert , Mr. Valadao , and Mr. Bost ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations A BILL Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, namely: Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Compensation and Pensions For an additional amount for Compensation and Pensions , $2,285,513,000, to remain available until expended. Veterans Benefits Administration Readjustment Benefits For an additional amount for Readjustment Benefits , $596,969,000, to remain available until expended. General Provisions—This Act 101. Each amount appropriated or made available by this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved. 102. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations accounts shall be available under the authorities and conditions applicable to such appropriations accounts for fiscal year 2024. 103. (a) Budget formulation and forecasting Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing corrections the Department will make to improve forecasting, data quality and budget assumptions relating to budget submissions for funds provided under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits . (b) Reporting requirement Not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on status of funds made available under the headings Compensations and Pensions and Readjustment Benefits for fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026 in this or any other Act: Provided, That such report shall be updated and submitted to such Committees every 90 days thereafter until September 30, 2026, and shall include information detailing any changes to estimates or assumptions on obligations and expenditures, including data supporting these changes. 104. (a) The Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a review of the circumstances surrounding and the underlying causes of the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 19, 2024, and the announced funding shortfall for the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025 described in the letter to Congress from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on July 31, 2024. (b) Relating to the shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration in fiscal year 2024 and the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review shall include, but not be limited to: a comparison of monthly obligations and expenditures in relevant accounts against the spend plan of the Department; the reasons for any significant diversions of obligations or expenditures from the spend plan; an analysis of the accuracy of projections and estimates relevant to such diversions; and any other matter determined relevant by the Inspector General. (c) Relating to the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025, the review also shall include: any changes, abnormalities, or significant events as determined significant by the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the transfer, reallocation, or other movement of funding between or within the Central Office, a Veterans Integrated Service Network, a facility, a program or office, a special purpose fund, the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation process, or the Medical Center Allocation System. (d) Actions the Department of Veterans Affairs can take to improve the accuracy of supporting information submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to prevent funding shortfalls for the Department. (e) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Veterans Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing the conduct and findings of the review. This Act may be cited as the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 .