- Republicans slam Democrats for "shamelessly lying" about veterans benefits cuts
- The GOP-led bill seeks to cut spending across the federal government
- Democrats and the Department of Veterans Affairs claim the bill would result in a 22% cut to the VA's budget
House Republicans slammed Democrats over the latter's alleged lie about the scope of the GOP's debt limit bill, including a cut to veterans' benefits.
Senate Democrats and the White House have argued that the GOP-led bill is a non-starter because it cuts budgets across the federal government. The bill would return non-defense spending to 2022 levels.
House GOP Clash with Dems Over Debt Limit Bill
However, Democratic lawmakers and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) said this would result in a 22% cut to the VA's budget. This claim comes as the Republican legislation does not specify any targeted spending cuts to the VA or its program. It also provides no safeguard to ensure that the bill would not affect the agency's budget, per the Washington Times.
In a statement on Sunday, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said that United States President Joe Biden and other Democratic lawmakers were now desperate. She argued that this covered the president's "weakness and absolute failure on the debt ceiling negotiations."
Stefanik said that Biden and his Democratic allies were now "shamelessly lying" about veterans' benefits and were politicizing the VA. Illinois Republican and House Committee on Veterans' Affairs chairman, Rep. Mike Bost, reassured citizens that the GOP-led bill would not affect the VA.
He said that no veteran would lose their benefits, arguing that these benefits are owed to them. Boat added that in his nine years as a member of Congress, this was the first time an agency that is so vital to so many people was used as a political weapon to deliver a false message.
A Cut to Veterans' Benefits?
Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia also suggested that House Republicans should investigate the VA for violating federal false statements statutes. Furthermore, Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland suggested that they should cut funds for the VA's communications department, according to The Hill.
Bost spoke with VA Secretary Denis McDonough on Sunday morning, expressing his frustrations regarding the issue. He noted that he wanted to calm down before talking to the official, who he believes only took orders from his boss.
House Republicans are hoping that their debt limit and spending cut bill passed last week would force Biden to agree to begin negotiations. It includes only allowing for 1% annual growth for discretionary spending limits.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that the passage of the bill in the House would force Biden to negotiate, or only the GOP would have made any attempt to raise the debt limit. Discretionary spending would include weapons programs, servicemember pay, school grants, rental assistance, and funds for research on cancer and other life-threatening diseases, said the Associated Press.
