Press Releases

Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, expressed opposition to the proposed Continuing Resolution (CR) which fails to provide funding to care for America’s veterans. 

(Congressman Kennedy on the House floor calls for more funding for veterans. View video here.)

In remarks on the House floor, Congressman Kennedy said, in part, “Extreme MAGA Republicans have abdicated their responsibility to govern even further. This continuing resolution fails to meet the needs of our heroes who have fought and served in our nation’s military. It shortchanges our veterans by $12 billion.”

Kennedy underscored the harm to healthcare and other critical services the budget shortfall would have on veterans, saying, “Without the full $12 billion included in the continuing resolution, the VA is being forced to make choices regarding care that could degrade services for patients, reduce support for veterans experiencing homelessness, and limit programs that support caregivers.”

He highlighted the harm that this funding shortfall would have on patients at the Buffalo VA and across the country, saying, “We are already seeing the harm being done from a lack of resources for the VA across our country. In my district, the Buffalo VA does not have the funding needed to maintain its workforce, driving nurses to the picket line to call for more hires, all while patients are receiving delayed care in crumbling facilities. It is unacceptable. And it will directly impact the 40,000 veterans living in my district and more than 18 million veterans across the country.”

Additional Information:

The federal fiscal year ends on September 30. Failure to approve an annual or short-term budget before the deadline results in a government shutdown, impacting federal agencies, the American people, and all aspects of the economy.

Rather than compromising with Senate and House members on a comprehensive fiscal year 2025 budget, House Speaker Johnson is proposing a 6-month continuing resolution that pushes Congress’ Constitutional obligation to approve budgetary appropriations to March 28, 2025. 

The Continuing Resolution does not include the $12 billion shortfall the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs to care for our veterans. The Office of Management and Budget reports that under the continuing resolution, the “VA would have insufficient funding to maintain medical care operations for veterans through FY 2025.”

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) was signed into law with bipartisan support in August of 2022. The PACT Act makes it easier for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service to this country and face cancer or other serious medical repercussions to receive the care and benefits they earned and deserve.  

Thanks to the PACT Act, over one million veterans have been approved to receive VA care nationwide. In Congressman Kennedy’s district alone, approximately 3,000 veterans have filed a claim to receive access to VA care under PACT Act eligibility.   

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