U.S. Senators have responded to recent financial management issues at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by advancing new legislation aimed at increasing oversight and accountability. President Donald Trump has signed into law the Protecting Regular Order (PRO) for Veterans Act, a bill introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
The PRO Vets Act comes after the VA experienced significant budget fluctuations in 2024, including a multi-billion-dollar shortfall followed by a surplus two months later. The new law requires the VA to provide quarterly, in-person budget reports to Congress over the next three years. It also includes provisions to withhold bonuses from senior VA and Office of Management and Budget leaders if fiscal mismanagement occurs.
Senator Sullivan stated, “America’s veterans, who’ve served and sacrificed greatly for our country, deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that is held to the highest possible standard of accountability. The shocking budget debacle last year made clear that this agency was falling short of the standards our veterans deserve. With today’s signing of the PRO Vets Act into law, we’re putting in place commonsense guardrails, like quarterly, in-person budget reports to Congress, and the withholding of bonuses for senior VA and OMB leaders responsible for any future fiscal mismanagement. I want to thank President Trump and my colleagues in the Senate and House for working with me to achieve this major win and helping to restore the trust of our veterans in an institution that exists to serve them.”
Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) commented on past actions by VA leadership: “Under the Biden administration, the VA doled out massive bonuses to senior executives while hiding a multi-billion dollar shortfall. This betrayal was a slap in the face not only to our veterans but also to the American taxpayer,” said Senator Marshall. “This common-sense legislation mandates that the VA provide a quarterly, in-person update to Congress on their finances, and halts bonuses when the books don’t balance. I gladly supported this legislation, and I am proud to see it signed into law. I thank Senator Sullivan for leading the fight on this important issue.”
Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) emphasized fiscal responsibility: “Our veterans have served and sacrificed and deserve the benefits they have earned,” SenatorErnst said. “I supported the PRO Vets Act to ensure the VA abides by the same rules as hardworking Iowans who must balance their own budgets. I’m thankful this administration took action to sign it into law, so VA bureaucrats manage taxpayers dollars and veteran benefits more responsibly.”
The bill received support from several senators including Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
