VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act
What does the VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act do?
HR 1823 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI). Orders GAO to investigate why the VA ran short of money — the fiscal year 2024 shortfall in the Veterans Benefits Administration and the expected fiscal year 2025 shortfall in the Veterans Health Administration — and to repeat the review every year for five years. The VA Secretary must send each report to Congress within 30 days of receiving it. Requires GAO reviews of the VA's fiscal year 2024 and 2025 funding shortfalls, repeated annually for five years, with every report forwarded to Congress.
Did HR 1823 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, HR 1823 has been signed into law on January 20, 2026.
Status: Signed into Law
Latest vote: Senate Passed by unanimous consent on December 18, 2025
Outlook: Enacted
Enacted: Signed into law on January 20, 2026
Key provisions
- VA Shortfall Investigation
- GAO review must begin within 30 days of enactment
- Covers the fiscal year 2024 Veterans Benefits Administration shortfall
- Covers the expected fiscal year 2025 VHA shortfall
- Five Years of Follow-Up Reviews
- New GAO review in each of the next five calendar years
- Each review covers the most recent completed fiscal year
- Reports to Congress
- VA Secretary forwards each GAO report within 30 days
- Goes to the Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations committees
Last updated July 10, 2026