119 HR 1823 RH: VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-05-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IBUnion Calendar No. 74119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1823[Report No. 119–101]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 4, 2025Mr. Bergman (for himself and Mr. Bost) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsMay 17, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 4, 2025A BILLTo 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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act.

2.

Funding shortfalls in certain administrations of the Department of Veterans Affairs: reviews; reports

(a)

First GAO review

(1)

Review required

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall begin a review regarding the circumstances surrounding, and the causes of—(A)the shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024; and(B)the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025.(2)

Elements

The review under this subsection shall include the following elements:(A)A comparison of monthly obligations and expenditures in relevant accounts against the spending plan of the Department of Veterans Affairs.(B)Any transfers between accounts described in subparagraph (A).(C)The reasons for any significant diversions of obligations or expenditures from such spending plan.(D)An analysis of the accuracy of any projections or estimates relevant to diversions described in subparagraph (C).(E)Remedial actions the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may take—(i)to improve the accuracy of supporting information submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Department; and(ii)to prevent funding shortfalls for the Department.(3)

Report

Not later than 30 days after completing such review, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a written report containing the results and findings of such review.(b)

Subsequent GAO reviews

In each of the five calendar years following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall conduct a review including the elements described in subsection (a)(2), and submit a report described in subsection (a)(3), regarding the funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the most recent fiscal year to end before the date of such review.(c)

Reports of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Not later than 30 days after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives a report of the Comptroller General under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary shall submit such report to—(1)the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate; and(2)the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

May 17, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed