While the GOP legislation does not specifically call for cuts to veterans programs, it does not explicitly exempt them either.
If their legislation were to become law, Republicans would eventually need to identify more than $3.5 trillion in cuts over the coming decade. The Biden administration has estimated cuts of more than 20 percent would be required from most agencies.The uncertainty prompted a coalition of about two dozen veterans groups, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, to write a letter to Congress last week voicing alarm.
At a briefing for reporters Tuesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre referenced the letter, saying the veterans organizations “pleaded with House Republicans to protect veterans from general budget cuts.”“Republicans refused,” she said. “Republicans made last-minute changes to protect special interests, but they refused to include veterans in those protections.”