House and Senate leaders hope to approve $3 billion in extra funding for Veterans Affairs benefits checks by Sept. 20. Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Sept. 9, 2024. Rep. Rob Wittman said he expects a short-term budget deal for federal spending to be finalized before the end of the month. Democratic lawmakers have blasted the salary reductions as unrealistic and petty. Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of June 24, 2024. The benefit in question provides reimbursement of travels costs to get access to otherwise noncovered reproductive health care services. Abortion, diversity training and COVID prevention are again hot-button issues in the military appropriations plan for next year. The White House is opposed to a Republican-backed VA budget plan that is expected to be advanced this week. Defense and veterans hearings for the week of June 3, 2024. VA would see a 10% boost in funding under a plan advanced by Republican appropriators on Tuesday, but Democrats oppose other parts of the bill. Load More