Today House Republicans are trying to avert a funding crisis of their own making by passing a partisan Republican spending bill they drafted behind closed doors. It cuts $13 billion from programs like low-income housing, agricultural inspections, and election security. This bill would allow President Trump and Elon Musk to supercharge their attacks on essential Federal programs and workers, including Social Security and the FAA, with no input from Congress. I will highlight how this bill impacts our Nation's veterans, particularly in light of the administration's recent actions. Due to the success of the PACT Act, more veterans than ever before have enrolled in VA care, and we should celebrate that success. Instead, this bill reneges on a commitment of $23 billion in healthcare funding for veterans who were exposed to burn pits and Agent Orange. It also fails to guarantee essential programs within the Veterans Health Administration. Programs like homelessness assistance, mental health care, rural health initiatives, opioid and substance abuse treatment, oncology services, and caregiver support are left undefined and, therefore, subject to cuts or elimination by DOGE and Trump. This is not an oversight. Our Republican colleagues are supporting this bill because it allows Musk to eliminate more programs without congressional approval. Mr. Speaker, in just 6 weeks, over 6,000 veterans have been fired from the VA and other Federal programs.…
On the recordMarch 11, 2025
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