The appropriations measure is expected to be approved by Congress later this week. Congress has pproved steady annual funding increases for VA opertions for more than 20 years. The change is expected to affect about 50,000 veterans currently using multiple accounts for their federal stipend payouts. VA reached more than 400,000 staff for the first time in history last year, as it brought in more than 61,000 hires to the Veterans Health Administration. Federal watchdogs warned that nearly 250,000 patients' medication records may contain mistakes because of conflicts with the new records software. Whistleblowers complained that accusations against supervisors in the Office of Resolution Management, Diversity, and Inclusion were ignored. Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Feb. 5, 2024. Portland VA Medical Center leaders have promised an investigation after several incidents at the facility. Officials will speed up portions of the PACT Act to allow enrollment of thousands of veterans into VA health care next month. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is seeking to rebuild the agency’s workforce, comprised of 78,000 civilians and Foreign Service officers. Load More