Numerous veteran organizations are calling on Congress to approve short-term funding measures to prevent potential government shutdowns. They emphasize that the proposed Continuing Resolution (CR) is crucial for maintaining essential veterans’ housing, benefits, and healthcare programs.
On Saturday, four veteran groups—the American Legion, Amvets, the American Vietnam Veterans, and Mission Roll Call—stated that the CR, which passed the House earlier this month, includes a significant expansion of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department and safeguards vital programs like the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.
“Congress must act without delay to pass this measure to guarantee that the VA continues its life-saving work for veterans and their families,” Amvets remarked in a statement. “We urge Congress to prioritize timely annual budgets to provide the VA with the stability it needs to serve our veterans effectively.”
This bipartisan initiative faces challenges as both Republican and Democratic leaders need to negotiate a consensus to avert shutdowns poised to occur after midnight on Tuesday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have expressed reluctance to support the CR passed by the House. Meanwhile, some Democrats are exploring alternative options to prevent a shutdown by September 30. Senator Jeanne Shaheen has approached Republicans regarding possible compromises but hasn’t ruled out voting for the CR.
Senate Majority Leader John Tune indicated that avoiding a shutdown could be possible if Democrats scaled back their requests for an additional $1.2 trillion in healthcare spending included in the CR.
Despite some options still available, negotiations seem tricky, especially after President Trump dismissed requests from Schumer and Jeffries for discussions. This situation complicates efforts, as GOP senators require support from at least eight Democrats to push the bill forward, especially with Senator Rand Paul opposing the CR.
A U.S. Vietnamese veteran shared, “Each day of delay due to partisan conflict puts veterans at risk and halts progress in addressing the suicide crisis.” The veteran continued, pushing for collaboration among leaders to keep the government functioning.
Senate Democrats are reportedly set to hold a conference call on Sunday to strategize regarding the potential shutdown.
If a government closure occurs next week, veterans will still receive pensions and disability payments. The VA’s 24-hour Crisis Line will remain operational, and VA hospitals will stay open. However, various VA services, such as the GI Bill hotline and other local offices, could be temporarily suspended.
The American Legion remarked, “These expansions are not just bureaucratic tweaks; they have real impacts on the lives of veterans and their families.”
