Nov 05: 119HR-7730 "Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustmen..." presented to President      Nov 05: 119HR-1945 "America's National Churchill M..." presented to President      Nov 03: 119HR-1744 "United States Commission on In..." became public law      Nov 03: 119HR-8205 "Accelerating Access to Critica..." became public law      
Bill: 119-HR1823
VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act
Last action: 1-20-2026
Version: 2026012515
Became law on 1-20-2026
Current status: Became Public Law No: 119-71.
Bill is currently in: President
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Summary Provided by Congressional Research Service

VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act

This act requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review and report on the circumstances and causes of the shortfall in funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration for FY2024 and the expected shortfall in funding of the Veterans Health Administration in FY2025. The Department of Veterans Affairs must submit such GAO report to Congress. For each of the five fiscal years following the date of enactment of this act, GAO must conduct subsequent reviews and reports regarding the funding of the VA.

Latest available text


1. Short title2. Funding shortfalls in certain administrations of the Department of Veterans Affairs: reviews; reports

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.Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.