GOP Lawmakers Deny Spending Cuts Would Impact VA

Fifty-six House Republicans are condemning claims by the Department of Veterans Affairs that the GOP’s debt ceiling increase and spending cuts bill would cut into veterans’ current benefits.

The comments by the Republican lawmakers came in a Thursday letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough. The Hill noted the letter was led by Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., who is a Navy veteran from a military family.

“In a recent misleading report, the VA falsely asserts that H.R. 2811, the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 would cut 22% of veterans’ funding; that is untrue,” said a statement from Kiggans’ office. “Not only does H.R. 2811 not make any specific cuts to the VA – it simply returns topline FY24 discretionary spending to FY22 levels – but every individual in the U.S. House Republican leadership has unequivocally stated on record that veterans’ healthcare and benefits are not on the table amid debt ceiling negotiations. Most recently, on Sunday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise stated he would not bring any bill to the floor that makes cuts to VA funding.”

In the letter, the Republicans called the VA’s claims “dishonest and shameless.”

“The Republicans noted many members of Congress are deeply troubled and personally offended that the Biden administration continues to use these dishonest talking points to create panic and fear in our veteran populations. The VA’s mission is to care for our veterans who have borne the battle. Our veterans made great sacrifices so that we may have the privilege to live freely in this great nation.”

The letter by the Republican lawmakers came after a VA press release that the spending cuts would mean lost jobs in the department’s health services and 30 million fewer outpatient visits for veterans, according to The Hill.

The VA did not comment on The Hill’s story about the letter.