Legion supports $337 billion VA budget request

The American Legion threw its support behind the FY25 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which the House plans to vote on today, June 5.

In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, The American Legion said it supports the $337.4 billion request for the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is $75.5 million above the FY25 budget request and $30.2 billion above the FY24 enacted level.

Additionally, the letter also voiced support for these elements of the legislation:

• The full funding of the Veterans Health Administration and the advanced funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund. “This level of funding will ensure the continued care that our veterans have earned and provide the support programs that allow veterans to make our society even stronger,” the letter stated.

• The full funding of homeless assistance programs, substance use disorder programs, and the opioid prevention and treatment program. The American Legion wrote. “These initiatives provide the support veterans need to right their own ship and return to safe and productive lives.”

Read the full letter here.