(Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the
Veterans’ Affairs Committee, heard testimony from Veterans Affairs Secretary
Eric K. Shinseki and representatives from veterans groups and the American Federation of Government Employees on next year’s budget
for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“On balance, and given that other
agencies are facing budget cuts, this VA budget is a very good starting place
from which to work,” said Senator
Murray. “The President has requested an overall increase for VA
funding during a very difficult budget year, but we must ensure that the cuts
he also proposed do not hurt the veterans who have sacrificed so much for this
nation. Going forward, I will work to add funding that is necessary for
programs vital to veterans, such as for research and the operation of VA’s
Inspector General which helps root out fraud and other problems with existing
programs.”
The President’s budget request includes an overall
increase of $1.8 billion in discretionary spending over Fiscal Year 2011
levels. It also includes various proposed funding cuts, however,
including a reduction in spending for construction and non-recurring maintenance,
and a proposed $72 million cut for VA research funding.
Following
today’s hearing, Members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee will provide the
Senate Budget Committee with their views and estimates for VA’s budget.
Views and estimates are a formal part of the federal budget process, in which
Congressional Committees recommend funding levels for programs and activities
under their legislative jurisdiction. (See the Veterans’ Affairs
Committee’s jurisdiction.)
The House and Senate Budget Committees review these recommendations when
formulating the proposed Budget Resolution for the coming fiscal year.
The Chairman’s opening statement is available in audio.
For the full witness list and the witnesses’ written testimony, please visit http://veterans.senate.gov.
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