When Congress returns next month, the Senate will vote on legislation to provide all Veterans Affairs Department funding a full year in advance, preventing government shutdowns or budget gridlock from interrupting veterans services.
In a letter sent out Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called a vote on the measure "the right thing for our veterans." He promised the Senate will take up the issue in November, though he did not offer any specific timeline for a vote.
The Putting Veterans First Act is sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska. Similar legislation is pending in the House.
Both measures would authorize appropriations a year in advance for all VA discretionary accounts, including construction, the VA inspector general's office, and general operating expenses.
About 85 percent of VA funding already is provided a year ahead. Lawmakers approved that in 2009, as a way to ensure that health system staffing and research programs were not disrupted by delays in the congressional budgeting process. In recent years, few federal budgets have been finalized before the start of the new fiscal year.
During the government shutdown in October 2013, VA officials reported they were just a few days away from halting a number of veterans' benefits checks because of the disruption in funding.
Since then, veterans advocacy groups have pushed for a full advance budget, giving VA protection against political infighting.
In a statement Wednesday, Disabled American Veterans National Commander Ronald Hope praised Reid's announcement and promised his group would continue pushing the issue until the vote takes place.
"This is an opportunity for our leaders in Washington to match their words with deeds worthy of America's heroes," he said. "Ending the delays in funding is a veterans issue, not a partisan one, and surely that is the least they can do for the brave Americans who sacrificed and suffered to keep our nation free."
The Senate is scheduled to return from their election recess on Nov. 12.
Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.
