Posted on Jul 22, 2015
Appropriate? VA Secretary Slams Congress at VFW Convention Over Budget Cuts
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McDonald said that is unacceptable to anyone who claims to support the VA's mission to support veterans and their families.
The VA has asked for $168 billion for next year, of which $95 billion is mandatory spending programs. But the House of Representatives wants to cut the request by about $1.4 billion.
McDonald said that $1.4 billion cut would translate into $688 million less for health care, no funding for four major construction projects and six veterans' cemeteries, and the elimination of bonuses that VA needs to attract the best people it can.
McDonald did not go into detail on the House's issues with the VA and its budget, in particular the rationale offered by the House Veterans Affairs Committee leadership and others.
The committee has routinely excoriated the VA over a range of scandals, including delays on construction projects and, in the case of an unfinished facility near Denver, Colorado, cost overruns that have seen the total cost rise from less than $400 million to a projected $1.7 billion.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/07/21/va-secretary-slams-congress-at-vfw-convention-over-budget-cuts.html
The VA has asked for $168 billion for next year, of which $95 billion is mandatory spending programs. But the House of Representatives wants to cut the request by about $1.4 billion.
McDonald said that $1.4 billion cut would translate into $688 million less for health care, no funding for four major construction projects and six veterans' cemeteries, and the elimination of bonuses that VA needs to attract the best people it can.
McDonald did not go into detail on the House's issues with the VA and its budget, in particular the rationale offered by the House Veterans Affairs Committee leadership and others.
The committee has routinely excoriated the VA over a range of scandals, including delays on construction projects and, in the case of an unfinished facility near Denver, Colorado, cost overruns that have seen the total cost rise from less than $400 million to a projected $1.7 billion.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/07/21/va-secretary-slams-congress-at-vfw-convention-over-budget-cuts.html
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 5
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Was the Secretary defending Veterans or deflecting criticism from himself? It seems that our President has set the standard for passing the buck and all in his Administration are following his lead.
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Reverse psychology by VA? Or is it like our kids, putting the blame on "Johnny" when our kids screw up? It would be nice to see the VA's budget request breakdown. For example, the VA in Fayetteville, NC spent $2 million more for property than necessary, and no adverse action taken against that leadership. Or they run a shuttle service, which the VA's Title 38 (the law that enacted VA) prohibits, but shuttle people at a cost of 50% to 75% more than if the person took a taxi or 100% when the person isn't entitled to the transport. So I can see why Congress would prefer to reduce the VA's request and force the VA to spend carefully. I always hated when this would happen, because of course the mucky mucks in DC would carve out their pet projects and leave the rest for the VISNs. Then you had VISN Directors' who would carve out their pet projects and if he/she liked your facility you would get more than your peer facilities in the network. Like purchasing equipment. VISN 6 would do central procurements to gain the benefit of economy of scales, but it never amazed me how Fayetteville would get the "Yugo" equipment while Durham would get the "Cadillac" in many cases. Let me stop here before my blood pressure causes me to stroke out......
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