Bills · 119th Congress · Armed Forces and National Security

VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act

Where it stands

  1. Introduced3/4/25
  2. Passed HousePassed 5/19/25
  3. SenatePassed 12/18/25
  4. PresidentSigned 1/20/26
  5. LawPublic Law 119-71

Passed the House by voice vote on May 19, 2025. Passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 18, 2025. Became Public Law 119-71 on January 20, 2026.

Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.

Official summary (CRS)

VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act

This act requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review and report on the circumstances and causes of the shortfall in funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration for FY2024 and the expected shortfall in funding of the Veterans Health Administration in FY2025. The Department of Veterans Affairs must submit such GAO report to Congress. For each of the five fiscal years following the date of enactment of this act, GAO must conduct subsequent reviews and reports regarding the funding of the VA.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Jack Bergman ( Republican · MI-1)
Cosponsors
1
Introduced
3/4/25
Policy area
Armed Forces and National Security

What happens next

Became Public Law 119-71.

All actions (22)
  1. 3/4/25Introduced in House
  2. 3/4/25Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  3. 3/10/25Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  4. 3/25/25Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  5. 3/25/25Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
  6. 5/6/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  7. 5/17/25Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-101.
  8. 5/17/25Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 74.
  9. 5/19/25Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  10. 5/19/25Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2129-2130)
  11. 5/19/25DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1823.
  12. 5/19/25Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2129)
  13. 5/19/25On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2129)
  14. 5/19/25Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  15. 5/20/25Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  16. 12/18/25Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  17. 12/18/25Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  18. 12/18/25Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8895)
  19. 12/19/25Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  20. 1/12/26Presented to President.
  21. 1/20/26Signed by President.
  22. 1/20/26Became Public Law No: 119-71.