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LaCoursiere praises Congress for doing ‘right thing’
with passage of VA budget shortfall legislation
National Commander James LaCoursiere Jr. thanks Legionnaires for thousands of messages
through Grassroots Action Center, and other VSOs for their advocacy.
through Grassroots Action Center, and other VSOs for their advocacy.
American Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere Jr. today issued his gratitude to Congress – and thanks to members of the nation’s
largest veterans service organization for rallying support – after Thursday’s passage of an emergency spending bill that covers a nearly $3 billion
shortfall for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Had the measure not passed, more than 7 million veterans stood likely to see delays in VA
disability benefits payments after Oct. 1.
“We are pleased that our elected representatives and senators did the right thing for our nation's veterans by passing legislation to cover a $3
billion gap in VA's budget,” LaCoursiere Jr. said. “Without the last-
spending bill to be approved.
“The American Legion is also thankful for our brothers and sisters in other veteran service organizations that have largely been on the same page
regarding the budget crisis. Now that Congress has provided the benefits veterans have earned, they should also fix the issue and ensure proper
oversight within the VA to prevent another accounting crisis in the future.”
VA Secretary Denis McDonough told Legionnaires at the organization’s 105th National Convention in New Orleans Aug. 27 that the department
will also need an additional $12 billion or more beyond its current budget recommendation for the next fiscal year to meet fast-
2022, which opened the system up to more than 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic contamination while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Legion praises Tester for saving veterans’ benefits
The American Legion thanked Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., for his leadership in protecting veterans’ benefits by steering the Veterans Benefits
Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act toward reality.
During the summer, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had reported a $3 billion budget shortfall this year and a $12 billion shortfall next
year. If unresolved, the gap would have meant veterans would stop receiving benefits as of Oct. 1. Tester’s bill averted that scenario as it
passed Congress and was signed into law by the president.
American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere praised Tester, other members of Congress and other veterans service
organizations (VSOs).
“Without Sen. Tester’s leadership, our nation’s veterans would be facing severe financial consequences right now,” LaCoursiere said. “We are
grateful for the work of Tester’s office, as well as other members of Congress, who also played instrumental roles in this 11th-hour accomplishment.”
In a statement, Tester thanked The American Legion and other VSOs for endorsing the legislation.
The American Legion prioritized passage of this legislation over the summer by engaging with key congressional staff and members, and
conducting a grassroots campaign that included more than 44,000 emails being sent to members of Congress.
Additionally, The American Legion joined other VSOs to call for Congress to pass the legislation to cover the budget shortfall.
“It cannot be underestimated that the efforts throughout the VSO community had a direct influence,” LaCoursiere said. “We look forward to
working closely with our VSO partners on other legislative issues that benefit our nation’s veterans.”
LaCoursiere also reiterated the call for ensuring a similar situation does not occur again.
“While we dodged a bullet this time, there is nothing in place to prevent a similar close call,” he said. “Congress needs to prioritize legislation and
oversight that would hold VA accountable and identify any future accounting issues much earlier in the process. Our nation’s veterans should
not be forced to live under the undue stress of uncertainty for nearly 10 weeks like they did until recently.”
During the summer, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had reported a $3 billion budget shortfall this year and a $12 billion shortfall next
year. If unresolved, the gap would have meant veterans would stop receiving benefits as of Oct. 1. Tester’s bill averted that scenario as it
passed Congress and was signed into law by the president.
American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere praised Tester, other members of Congress and other veterans service
organizations (VSOs).
“Without Sen. Tester’s leadership, our nation’s veterans would be facing severe financial consequences right now,” LaCoursiere said. “We are
grateful for the work of Tester’s office, as well as other members of Congress, who also played instrumental roles in this 11th-
In a statement, Tester thanked The American Legion and other VSOs for endorsing the legislation.
The American Legion prioritized passage of this legislation over the summer by engaging with key congressional staff and members, and
conducting a grassroots campaign that included more than 44,000 emails being sent to members of Congress.
Additionally, The American Legion joined other VSOs to call for Congress to pass the legislation to cover the budget shortfall.
“It cannot be underestimated that the efforts throughout the VSO community had a direct influence,” LaCoursiere said. “We look forward to
working closely with our VSO partners on other legislative issues that benefit our nation’s veterans.”
LaCoursiere also reiterated the call for ensuring a similar situation does not occur again.
“While we dodged a bullet this time, there is nothing in place to prevent a similar close call,” he said. “Congress needs to prioritize legislation and
oversight that would hold VA accountable and identify any future accounting issues much earlier in the process. Our nation’s veterans should
not be forced to live under the undue stress of uncertainty for nearly 10 weeks like they did until recently.”
The passage of the supplemental appropriations act, an American Legion priority,
ensured that veterans would not miss any payouts due to VA budget shortfall.
ensured that veterans would not miss any payouts due to VA budget shortfall.