Bilirakis Scrutinizes Department of Veterans’ Affairs Budget

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vice-Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, today questioned Secretary McDonald about the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) budget priorities and requests.

"Historically, Congress has either matched or increased the President's request to assist the VA in fulfilling its sacred obligations to our nation's heroes. However, the VA has left millions unspent in the medical care account and tens of thousands opened vacancies since 2010. Under previous regimes, the VA had not provided sufficient data in justifying significant budget increases. Therefore, considering the modest growth in VA's patient population and workload, I would expect a detailed explanation for VA's requested 7.4% increase from last year's budget," Bilirakis said.

"I feel obligated to our nation's heroes to adequately fund the VA so it can effectively fulfill its mission. Under the capable leadership of Secretary McDonald, I am hopeful that it won't be business as usual at the VA. I look forward to more transparency, accountability, and common sense governance under Secretary McDonald's management. Our true American heroes deserve no less."

Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the Arizona Republic, it was discovered that the VA did not start tracking medical job openings until June 2014 and had nearly 31,000 vacancies to fill at that time. To view Congressman Bilirakis' complete remarks, click here.