Wichita Standard

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, issued a statement today following the U.S. Senate's passage of an emergency budget supplemental for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The measure aims to ensure that over 7 million veterans and their survivors receive their benefits on October 1.

"The Senate acted in a timely manner to provide assurance and relief to millions of veterans and survivors across the country by making certain they will receive their hard-earned benefit payments on time, next month," stated Senator Moran.

Senator Moran expressed frustration with both the VA and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), criticizing them for what he described as financial mismanagement. "I am frustrated by the actions of VA and OMB that led us to this point and remain committed to holding those at VA and the Biden administration accountable for their gross financial mismanagement."

He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability within the VA, stressing that veterans and military families should not suffer due to negligence or political issues. "Transparency and accountability must be the hallmarks of VA’s work, and veterans and military families must never suffer as a result of negligence, mismanagement or political gamesmanship."

Senator Moran also thanked his colleagues for supporting the legislation. "I am thankful for my colleagues' support in passing this legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to make certain that VA is a good steward of taxpayer dollars and that this never happens again."