House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently introduced a proposal called the “Limit, Save, Grow Act” that aims to raise the nation’s debt limit by $1.5 trillion, and could include a VA budget decrease of nearly 22%, and limit federal spending for a decade.
McCarthy unveiled this legislation while President Joe Biden was speaking about the urgent need to address the looming fiscal crisis caused by the national debt, which is currently at a staggering $31 trillion.
McCarthy is using this proposal as a starting point to draw President Biden into negotiations.
He criticized President Biden for not addressing the debt ceiling issue directly and instead delivering a speech in Maryland.
A vote in the House is expected next week in hopes of pressuring President Biden to respond.
What impacts could this budget decrease have for Veterans?
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and some Congressional Republicans are suggesting big reductions in federal spending, which could lead to serious consequences for Veterans.
Congress worked hard to provide benefits and care to Veterans who were exposed to toxins, like burn pits.
But now, the funding for these programs is at risk of being cut.
There are talks about reducing funding to levels from the previous fiscal year, which could mean a nearly 22% decrease in resources for Veterans’ care and benefits.
Some even want to make even deeper cuts.
Cutting care and services by nearly a quarter would be a disservice to the men and women who have served our country.
Here’s what these proposed cuts could mean for Veterans:
- Reduced access to care: Less funding could mean fewer resources available for Veterans to get the care they need, which could result in longer wait times for appointments and other services.
- Fewer staff for claims processing: With less funding, there may be fewer employees available to process claims, which could lead to more delays in getting the benefits you deserve.
- Longer wait times for benefits: If there are fewer resources available to handle claims, it could mean longer wait times for Veterans to receive their benefits, causing financial strain and uncertainty.
- Less support for national cemeteries: Budget cuts could also impact national cemeteries, which may face reduced services and maintenance, affecting the final resting place for Veterans.
- Weakened VA cybersecurity and telehealth services: IT services like telehealth could also be impacted, making it harder for Veterans, especially those in rural areas, to access care remotely and protect their personal information.
- Deteriorated VA infrastructure: Important infrastructure projects could be delayed or even canceled due to budget cuts, which could impact the quality of healthcare and IT improvements for Veterans.
Rep. Mike Bost (R-III.), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee ensured veterans that McCarthy’s proposed “Limit, Save, Grow Act” wouldn’t hurt veterans.
“This commonsense bill will grow the economy and save American taxpayers money, all while protecting veterans’ benefits, Social Security and Medicare.”
In conclusion, raising the nation’s debt limit has become a political challenge in Congress, with lawmakers often using it as leverage to push for their priorities.
The Treasury Department is currently taking “extraordinary measures” to continue borrowing, but that will eventually run out, possibly this summer.
House Speaker McCarthy and his team claim that their package will save money, but some proposed changes may actually increase deficits.
The plan has been in the works for some time, but came together quickly in recent days.
It’s important for veterans to stay informed about these developments, as they could have an impact on the nation’s spending and fiscal policies. Advocating for responsible spending and fiscal management is crucial to ensure a stable and secure financial future for our country and for veterans like you.
What can you do to help?
Remember, don’t lose hope!
We encourage you to take action against this proposed budget cut and fight back.
The link below directs to a website that will help you get in contact with your local state representatives in order to state your concerns–let your voice be heard!
Find out how to contact your local state representatives on Democracy.io.
