S.Amdt. 685

Mr. Luján submitted amendment SA 685 to the concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034. As folks who elected these officials, we need to know what our government actions cost the people who served our country. Common sense tells us we cannot just cut staff without understanding the fallout.

This amendment aims to add a requirement for the Congressional Budget Office to prepare an analysis estimating the economic, health, and social impacts of reductions in the workforce of the Department of Veterans Affairs on veterans, their families, and caregivers.

Key Changes and Additions

• Estimate Required: The Congressional Budget Office must analyze the impacts of Department of Veterans Affairs workforce reductions on veterans, their families, and caregivers.

• Financial and Service Assessments: The analysis must assess financial impacts like increased out-of-pocket costs and lost wages, evaluate appointment wait times and specialty care, estimate delays in processing benefits claims and appeals, analyze effects on rural and underserved veterans, and estimate potential increased Federal expenditures like higher Medicaid enrollment and mental health crises.

• Reporting Requirement: Within 180 days after the adoption of the resolution, the Office must submit a report detailing the findings to Congress and make the report available to the public.

• Consultation: The Office must consult with stakeholders, including the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, veterans service organizations, and independent policy experts, when preparing the analysis.