DeLauro, Veterans Advocates Resist Cuts to Veterans Programs
Video of press conference available here
Yesterday, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Veterans Advocates gathered at the West Haven Veterans Museum and Learning Center for a press conference highlighting the impact of House Republicans’ proposed cuts to veterans’ programs.
“We have a moral responsibility to do right by those who we sent into harm’s way to protect our freedom,” said DeLauro. “And it is our duty to care for them and their families when they return home. That is why I am appalled by the House Republicans’ proposal to cut veterans programs. With no protections for veterans in their bill, House Republicans are threatening cuts of nearly $30 billion at the Department of Veterans Affairs, drastically limiting VA’s ability to serve veterans and leading to longer wait times. To make matters worse, this bill would also immediately rescind more than $2 billion that robs veterans of timely access to health care services. Worse yet, this bill does nothing to maintain our commitment to veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, while House Republicans threaten to underfund VA’s request of $20 billion for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund established by the bipartisan PACT Act. These House Republicans’ proposals hurt veterans’ access to health care services, undermine the PACT Act’s promises to veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, and immediately risk long delays at VA. And still, this did not change House Republicans’ vote. This is callous, it is wrong, and we cannot let it happen.”
“The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center urges Congress to protect and increase funding to Veterans Affairs, as our veterans require help more than ever,” said Chelsea Donaldson, Supervising Attorney of Veterans Benefits Unit of CVLC. “Since 2019, 11,116 veterans have passed away waiting for their benefits at the Board of Veterans Appeals. We know our partners at the VA are doing their best, but they are overwhelmed by the volume that has only increased thanks to the PACT Act. Veterans are dying every day without benefits and without meaningful validation of the injuries sustained to them in service. Cutting VA funding will only worsen this tragic disservice to the people who served our country.”
“76 percent of Veterans served by Homes for the Brave are struggling with mental health or addiction issues, and they need access to intensive treatments that are subject to waits for available beds both within and outside the VA system,” said Vince Santilli, CEO of Homes for the Brave. “Many Veterans just give up when applying for benefits or upgrades to their service-connected disability percentages. The last thing they need is wait times length. These men and women have served all of us and are now in need themselves. We must honor their service and support them now.”
A bill recently passed by House Republicans would delay a catastrophic default for less than a year on the condition that Congress agree to 10 years of drastic cuts and caps to the annual investments that families and veterans depend on.
Not only does this bill do nothing to protect veterans’ programs from these devastating cuts over the next decade, it also immediately rescinds $2 billion in funding to support veterans—putting veterans’ health and wellbeing at immediate risk by delaying access to health care and benefits they have earned.
DeLauro was joined by veterans’ advocates to highlight the importance of honoring our promise to the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend the United States and protecting veterans’ programs from harmful cuts.