America's Work Force Union Podcast

Congress passes emergency funding to cover $3 billion VA shortfall

Written by awfblog | September 20, 2024

Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the October edition of Legion Magazine. He also addressed the emergency funding legislation passed by Congress to cover the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) budget shortfall.

After neither of the 2020 candidates for president or vice president were veterans, the American Legion is excited a veteran will be in the White House, no matter the winner. The featured story in the October edition of Legion Magazine highlights both V.P. candidates, who are veterans. Stoffer discussed why this matters for the Legion and fellow veterans and what that military service means to them.

On Thursday, Congress passed emergency funding legislation to cover the $3 billion VA shortfall. Stoffer said the shortfall would have prevented veterans from receiving their benefits and delayed needed health care. He discussed what caused the shortfall and the next steps for funding the VA for an extended period.

Finally, Stoffer discussed the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He discussed the organization's history and how it has helped avoid major conflict between several nations in those 75 years. Stoffer also addressed the impact of the NATO defense budget on America, which he said funds most of the costs for the organization’s defense operations.

For more from Stoffer, please listen to the show above.