Press Releases

Yesterday, Representative Jack Bergman introduced H.R. 1823, which would enact a forensic audit of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs budgeting process following significant errors over the past year. 

In July of 2024, the VA requested $2.88 billion from Congress to fill a reported end-of-fiscal year benefits funding shortfall. Congress quickly passed legislation providing this funding to ensure Veterans would continue to receive the benefits they deserve. However, it was later revealed that there was no shortfall and that none of the additional funds were needed – in fact, the VA carried over $5.1 billion of excess funds into the new fiscal year.

This legislation, cosponsored by House VA Committee Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12), would require the Comptroller General of the United States to perform an internal audit of the accounting mismanagement in the VA which resulted in their incorrect 2024 budget shortfall report – ensuring that such a budgeting mistake does not happen again and preventing the mismanagement of taxpayer funds.

“Congress has the solemn duty to provide the VA with every single dollar it needs to give Veterans the health care and benefits they earned through their service. The only way this can be done is through accurate budgeting and planning by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Budgeting failures like those we saw last year are inexcusable and directly impede our mission on behalf of Veterans. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure those who have served our country can have every possible resource extended to them promptly and sufficiently,” Rep. Bergman stated.

Read the full text of the bill here.