Senate Passes $3 Billion VA Funding Patch, Sending Bill to Biden’s Desk

The Senate passed a bill on Sept. 19 to give almost $2.9 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amid a budget shortfall, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature. The bill would provide veterans with almost $2.29 billion in compensation and pensions and nearly $596.97 million in benefits to help them readjust to everyday society. The House passed the bill on Sept. 17. Citing an increase in veterans benefits as the cause of the shortfall, the VA told Congress in July that it was almost $3 billion short through the end of this fiscal year on Sept. 30. The agency is also nearly $12 billion short for the following year....