UPDATE: House Passes Advance Appropriations

On Friday afternoon, Congress officially passed the FY2010 military construction and VA budget, which included the first advance budget for the VA. The House version, which has a companion bill in the Senate, includes $48.2 billion in funds for VA health care immediately available in FY2011.

AMVETS and the other nation's top veterans' service organizations have been calling for Congress to overhaul the VA funding mechanism for more than a decade. To read AMVETS' response, Click Here.

The Senate is expected to act shortly on advance appropriations. Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates as this story develops.

This Week at American Veteran

This week at American Veteran, we will continue to follow advance VA appropriations as the Senate looks to debate the issue. Last week, the House passed the first advance VA budget, a critical step which AMVETS' leaders were proud to see.

AMVETS Legislative Director Ray Kelley was quoted on the Stars & Stripes blog about why advance appropriations is so important.

We will also continue to follow unfolding events surrounding VA contracting, burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and student-veterans' "centers of excellence."

Recently, AMVETS leaders were informed that last summer's provision in the Higher Education Act may receive funding for FY2011.

In the coming weeks, we will also keep you posted on the latest convention news, as AMVETS prepares to gather for the 65th annual AMVETS National Convention in New Orleans, La.

As always, we're eager to see photos and stories from the field, and we still eagerly await submissions for our "Women in Service" series. Let us know how we're doing. Leave your comments on our stories, and check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

Live from Captiol Hill: Advance Appropriations for the VA goes to the House floor

Today, the House of Representatives will vote on the military construction and VA budget for FY2010, which includes the first advance appropriation provision for FY2011. Today's critical vote would establish a necessary precedent for Congress to fund the VA one year in advance, assuring sufficient, timely and predictable funding for veterans' health care.

Live video of today's floor debate is available through C-Span's Live Feed.

AMVETS and the Partnership for VA Health Care Budget Reform have been lobbying for an overhaul of the VA funding mechanism for more than a decade. AMVETS leaders are happy to see that the current Congress is seriously addressing this vital issue.

Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates, as advance VA appropriations inches closer to becoming a reality.

Senate takes another step toward advance VA funding

Last night, the Senate subcommittee for military construction and VA appropriations approved the FY2010 budget, which includes a provision for advance appropriations. AMVETS leaders applauded the subcommittee's swift action in an effort to provide sufficient, timely and predictable funding to the VA.

The bill, which will now go before the full committee for a vote, sets aside more than $48 billion for medical services, support and facilities to be available Oct. 1, 2010, the start of FY2011.

The Obama Administration has indicated that it would support advance VA funding. However, Military Times reports that several logistical hurdles must be addressed before advance funding can take effect.

For years, AMVETS has been calling on Congress to overhaul the VA funding mechanism. AMVETS leaders will continue to work with lawmakers to ensure that advance VA appropriations becomes a reality.

The committee could vote on the budget as early as this week. Check back with American Veteran Online for updates.

To view the committee's press release, Click Here.

Advanced Appropriations Moves Forward

Yesterday, the House took two major steps in ensuring that advanced appropriations for VA health care become a reality. The House approved a major rule change allowing for the VA funding exemption, while the House Appropriations Committee approved what would be the first advanced VA budget.

Congress has delivered the VA budget late for 19 of the last 22 years, and AMVETS and many of the nation's other leading veterans service organizations have been working to revise the VA funding model for decades. Veterans and veterans' advocates around the country applauded last night's critical step to ensure "sufficient, timely and predictable" funding for the VA.

Check back shortly with the official AMVETS Web site for more information on this important step toward making advanced VA appropriations a reality.

BREAKING: House VA Committee Approves Bill for Advanced Appropriations

This afternoon, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs approved H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform Act, along with seven other key pieces of legislation, which will now move to the full House for votes.

AMVETS has called for Congress to approve an advanced appropriations schedule for VA health care for more than a decade.

Check back with American Veteran Online for further details on advanced appropriations.