Democrats want promises from department leaders that sensitive medical and financial information is being handled securely.
The appropriations plan would add more than $80 billion to the current VA funding level, giving the department its biggest budget ever.
Congressional fights over plans to cut tens of thousands of VA staffers hinge on lawmakers' views on just how dysfunctional the department is.
Democratic lawmakers vow to block bills, slow nominations and hold their own hearings to protest planned cuts to veterans programs.
