Rep. Yakym presses VA Secretary on projected $15 billion budget shortfall

This week, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough pressing him on the nearly $15 billion budget shortfall the VA is facing through the end of fiscal year 2024. In the letter, Yakym expresses his deep concern that this shortfall could lead to a lapse in benefits or a disruption in healthcare for veterans who honorably served and risked their lives for our country.  

Yakym concludes the letter by requesting a briefing from the VA in order to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. The full letter is available here and below: 

Dear Secretary McDonough,

I write today with great concern that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is facing a nearly $15 billion shortfall in its FY24 budget that will impact the vital healthcare and benefits that the VA is tasked with providing to our nation’s veterans. Specifically, my office was recently made aware that the Veterans Benefits Administration is expecting a $2.88 billion shortfall, and the Veterans Health Administration is expecting a $11.97 billion shortfall near the end of Fiscal Year 2024.

The healthcare and benefits that the VA delivers to our nation’s veterans are an indispensable function of the federal government. The brave men and women who served their country have earned all the benefits that the VA offers them when they exit active military service.

Tens of thousands of veterans in my district depend on the VA for healthcare and their benefits to get through monthly expenses. As the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, I am sure you know that a lapse in benefits, or worse, a disruption to VA healthcare is completely unacceptable. According to some estimates, more than 40 veterans take their lives every day. In light of this daily tragedy, it is more important than ever to ensure that the VA is fulfilling its promise to our veterans.

That is why I am requesting a briefing from the VA to understand what specifically caused this shortfall, what the Congress and the VA could have done to prevent it, and most importantly, what we can do to rectify this situation and ensure that the VA is delivering for the veterans it serves. Please contact my veterans’ affairs Legislative Assistant, Michael Kraan (Michael.Kraan@mail.house.gov) to coordinate a briefing. Thank you for serving our nation’s veterans, and I look forward to your response.