Shelley Berkley: “once again the administration is forced to admit that it failed to acknowledge the full extent of the VA's budget…”

“once again the administration is forced to admit that it failed to acknowledge the full extent of the VA's budget shortfall. In June, the administration submitted a request for $975 million to keep the VA ship afloat. This number was a joke. Democrats, myself included, protested that at least $1.3 billion would be required to meet the VA's obligation to our Nation's veterans. Former VA Secretary Anthony Principi, then Chairman Chris Smith and Ranking Member Evans, the Independent Budget, the American Legion, and countless veterans wrote Members of Congress and warned us that the VA could not operate with the budget request submitted by the administration. As usual, the administration stubbornly clung to its ridiculously low figure. Once again, the administration was wrong. Now that the administration acknowledges its billion-dollar shortfall, let us make sure our veterans are provided for and that no veteran in this country goes without the best health care we can provide to these great Americans. ____________________”