WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday signed into law a measure designed to keep funding for veterans’ medical care steady amid future budget negotiations.
Noting the Veterans Affairs Department is providing care for veterans without a Congress-approved budget right now, Obama said the new law would guarantee timely and predictable funding by laying out the VA budget ahead of schedule.
The president said the measure would let the VA know as much as a year ahead of time just how many tax dollars officials could expect to buy equipment, provide health care and hire employees.
Aides say the uncertainty of the budget process harms those who have served in uniform because of financial uncertainty for programs.
“This is inexcusable. This is unacceptable,” Obama said.
