Senate Passes Advance Appropriations

Late last night, the Senate unanimously passed advance appropriations for VA health care by a voice vote. The measure, which was included in the House bill H.R. 1016, will allow Congress to pass a budget for VA health care one year in advance. The bill is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama shortly. Military Times reported on the bill's passage this morning.

AMVETS leaders called the Senate's passage a major victory for the veterans' community and the culmination of years of hard work. AMVETS has been pushing Congress to overhaul the VA funding mechanism for more than a decade as a member of the Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform.

Stars & Stripes quoted AMVETS on the potential benefits on advance appropriations for the average veteran.

Now, only one step remains to making timely, predictable and sufficient VA funding a reality. Check back regularly with American Veteran Online for updates.

(Photo: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signs H.R. 1610 to send to President Obama while House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner and VA Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Chet Edwards and leaders from the nation's top VSOs look on. Photo courtesy of Disabled American Veterans.)