VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1823

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Became Law

Became Law

Public Law 119-71

Latest Action

2026-01-20: Became Public Law No: 119-71.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T19:38:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act aims to increase oversight and accountability for funding issues within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by requiring detailed reviews of budget shortfalls and reports to Congress. It focuses on identifying causes of underfunding in key VA areas and recommending ways to prevent future problems, ensuring better management of resources for veterans' services.

Key Provisions

• Initial GAO Review: The Comptroller General of the United States (head of the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, an independent agency that audits federal programs) must begin a review within 30 days of the Act's enactment. This review examines:
• The funding shortfall in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) for fiscal year 2024.
• The anticipated shortfall in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for fiscal year 2025.
• Elements of the Review: Each GAO review must include:
• A comparison of actual monthly spending and commitments in VA accounts against the department's official spending plan.
• Details on any transfers of funds between these accounts.
• Explanations for any major deviations (diversions) from the spending plan.
• An evaluation of how accurate the VA's budget projections and estimates were in relation to these deviations.
• Suggestions for actions the VA Secretary can take to improve the accuracy of budget submissions to Congress (under federal law requiring annual budget justifications) and to avoid future shortfalls.
• GAO Reporting Timeline: The GAO must submit a written report with findings to the VA Secretary within 30 days of completing each review.
• Ongoing Reviews: For each of the five calendar years after enactment, the GAO must conduct a similar review of the VA's funding for the most recent completed fiscal year and submit a report to the Secretary.
• VA Secretary's Reporting Duty: Within 30 days of receiving a GAO report, the VA Secretary must forward it to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs and the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act introduces new mandatory review and reporting requirements specifically for VA funding shortfalls, which were not previously required by law. It builds on existing federal budget processes (such as annual VA budget submissions under 31 U.S.C. § 1105(a)) by adding independent GAO audits and congressional notifications, but does not alter core funding mechanisms or appropriation laws.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The VA will face increased scrutiny and administrative burden from responding to GAO reviews and submitting reports, potentially leading to improved budgeting practices and reduced risk of shortfalls. The GAO will need to allocate resources for annual reviews over six years (initial plus five follow-ups).
• On Citizens: Veterans relying on VA benefits and health services may benefit indirectly from better funding stability, as addressed shortfalls could enhance service delivery without disruptions. Taxpayers could see more efficient use of federal funds.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the Act focuses solely on domestic VA operations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Directly responsible for implementing recommendations and submitting reports; includes VBA and VHA as focal points.
• Government Accountability Office (GAO): Tasked with conducting reviews and providing expert analysis.
• Congress: House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations receive reports for oversight, enabling better-informed decisions on VA funding.
• Veterans and Their Families: Indirectly affected as primary beneficiaries of VA programs, with potential improvements in benefits processing and healthcare access.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Strengthens federal accountability under existing budget laws by mandating independent audits, without creating new enforcement penalties. It promotes transparency in executive branch spending but relies on congressional follow-through for any remedial actions.
• Constitutional Implications: Aligns with Congress's constitutional power of the purse (Article I, Section 9) to oversee federal expenditures, posing no apparent conflicts with separation of powers.
• Political Implications: Enhances bipartisan oversight of VA funding amid ongoing concerns about veteran care adequacy, potentially influencing future appropriations debates. It signals a push for fiscal responsibility in a high-priority area without partisan mandates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-20: Became Public Law No: 119-71.
• 2026-01-20: Became Public Law No: 119-71.
• 2026-01-20: Signed by President.
• 2026-01-20: Signed by President.
• 2026-01-12: Presented to President.
• 2026-01-12: Presented to President.
• 2025-12-19: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
• 2025-12-18: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8895)
• 2025-12-18: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
• 2025-12-18: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
• 2025-12-18: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
• 2025-05-20: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• 2025-05-19: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-05-19: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2129)
• 2025-05-19: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2129)

Bill Versions

• VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act — issued 2025-05-19 — PDF (6 pages)
• VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act — issued 2025-12-20 — PDF (2 pages)
• To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Comptroller General of the United States to report on certain funding shortfalls in the Department of Veterans Affairs. — issued 2025-03-04 — PDF (3 pages)
• VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act — issued 2025-05-20 — PDF (4 pages)
• VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act — issued 2025-05-17 — PDF (6 pages)