The VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act: Understanding the Law

HR 1823 is a bill passed by the House of Representatives on May 19, 2025, aimed at addressing funding shortfalls in the Department of Veterans Affairs. The law requires the Comptroller General of the United States and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report on certain funding shortfalls.

Section 1: Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act”.

Section 2: Funding Shortfalls in Certain Administrations of the Department of Veterans Affairs

The law requires a review regarding the circumstances surrounding and causes of funding shortfalls for fiscal year 2024 and expected shortfall for fiscal year 2025.

(a) First GAO Review.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall begin a review regarding the circumstances surrounding, and the causes of:
(A) the shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 2024; and
(B) the expected shortfall in the funding of the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal year 2025.

The review shall include the following elements:

(A) A comparison of monthly obligations and expenditures in relevant accounts against the spending plan of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(B) Any transfers between accounts described in subparagraph (A).
(C) The reasons for any significant divergences of obligations or expenditures from such spending plan.
(D) An analysis of the accuracy of any projections or estimates relevant to diversions described in subparagraph (C).
(E) Remedial actions the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may take—
to improve the accuracy of supporting information submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, with respect to the Department; and
to prevent funding shortfalls for the Department.

Section 3: Reports

The Comptroller General shall submit a written report containing the results and findings of the review not later than 30 days after completing such review. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall also submit a report to certain committees within 30 days after receiving a report from the Comptroller General.

(b) Subsequent GAO Reviews.—In each of the five calendar years following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall conduct a review including the elements described in subsection (a)(2), and submit a report described in subsection (a)(3), regarding the funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs for the most recent fiscal year to end before the date of such review.
(c) Reports of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.—Not later than 30 days after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs receives a report of the Comptroller General under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary shall submit such report to—
the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate;
and
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

HR 1823 is available online.