House Republicans have resented the Department of Veterans Affairs, arguing that the Republican debt limit and spending cut bills would jeopardize the services and interests of veterans.
“In my nine years as a member of Congress, I have never seen an institution so important to so many people used as a political hammer to convey false messages and unsettle people. Commission Chairman Mike Bost (R-Illinois) said at a news conference Sunday afternoon:
“They shamelessly lie about veterans benefits and are politicizing the VA to do so,” Republican House Speaker Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) said.
The dozen or so members who answered the phone, almost all of whom were veterans, expressed their dissatisfaction while reiterating that they would not cut veterans’ benefits.
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia) suggested that House Republicans should investigate the VA for violating their allegations against the federal government’s false statements. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Maryland) has proposed funding cuts to the VA’s communications division.
“Obviously, if they’re using it for political purposes, they’re spending a lot of money on the communications sector,” Harris said.
Bost said Sunday morning he had voiced his displeasure to VA Commissioner Dennis McDonagh.
“I was trying to find a way to calmly talk to him,” Bost said.
“Well, I understand your boss told you to do that,” Bost said. “But I shouldn’t have done it.”
House Republicans want the debt ceiling and spending cuts bill passed last week to bring President Biden to the negotiating table on the debt ceiling. Republican law includes provisions to return the discretionary spending cap to fiscal 2022 levels, which are expected to grow at 1% annually going forward.
Republicans say the limit equates to top-line numbers and does not apply to sweeping cuts. Nor is it intended to protect against , but leaders have pledged to do so when they pass a funding bill later this year. Actual funding levels will be set during the budget allocation process.
But a press release from the VA last week warned that the House Republican Restrict, Preserve, and Growth Act could lead to job losses, longer wait times, reduced access to telemedicine, and more across the VA. These estimates were based on an assumption of a 22% reduction, consistent with agency exemptions from defense spending while returning to discretionary spending levels for fiscal 2022.
McDonough echoed these concerns: Senate Committee hearing last week.
“The figure expected in the bill being debated in the House of Representatives would have to be cut by 6,000. [Veterans Benefits Administration], which makes sense for veterans. We need these increased numbers to process claims,” McDonough said at a Senate hearing last week.
He also said the bill “could reduce the number of outpatient visits by 30 million,” which could result in fewer cancer screenings, mental health screenings and treatment for substance abuse disorders. rice field.
messaging from the white house It also accuses Republicans of voting to “undermine health care for veterans.”
Republicans vehemently opposed these allegations.
“The budget allocation process ensures that both the defense budget and the VA are well funded,” Stefanik said.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) delivered a similar message on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.
“As the leader of the party, I will not introduce a bill to the House of Representatives even if President Biden wanted to. I will not introduce a bill to cut veterans.”
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