H.R.1823 - 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. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1823 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Comptroller General of the United States to report on funding shortfalls within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, it addresses shortfalls in the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024 and expected shortfalls in the Veterans Health Administration for fiscal year 2025. The bill mandates a review by the Comptroller General, followed by a report from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to relevant congressional committees.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to improve the accuracy of budget projections and prevent future funding shortfalls within the VA. This will be achieved through increased oversight and reporting requirements. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that veterans receive the benefits and healthcare services they are entitled to.
Potential Benefits
- Improved oversight of VA spending.
- Increased transparency in VA financial management.
- Better allocation of resources to meet veterans' needs.
- Enhanced accountability within the VA.
- Potential for more accurate budget forecasting in the future.
Potential Disadvantages
- The reporting requirements could create additional administrative burden for the VA.
- The 30-day deadlines for reviews and reports may be challenging to meet.
- The bill itself does not provide any additional funding to address the shortfalls.
- The effectiveness of the bill depends on the quality and accuracy of the reports produced.
- There may be a delay in addressing the funding shortfalls while the reviews and reports are being conducted.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional power of Congress to oversee government spending and ensure accountability within federal agencies, as granted by Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, which states that "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time." The bill also supports the general welfare clause by aiming to provide better services to veterans.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).