Phil Swagel and the CBO believe it’s time to cut Veterans Benefits

The Congressional Budget Office is requested by the House and Senate Committees on the Budget to periodically provide a collection of budget options to aid federal lawmakers in making informed decisions about reducing the deficit. This year, the report has been split into two volumes. The first volume, titled Options for Reducing the Deficit, 2023 to 2032—Volume I: Larger Reductions, outlines 17 detailed policy options that can decrease the deficit by more than $300 billion over the next 10 years. Some Social Security options can have a similarly significant effect in later years. The second volume, titled Options for Reducing the Deficit, 2023 to 2032—Volume II: Smaller Reductions, provides brief descriptions of 59 options that can each reduce the deficit by less than $300 billion over the same period.

These options originate from a variety of sources, including legislative and budget proposals from various Administrations, Congressional staff, other government agencies, and private groups. They are meant to represent a range of possibilities rather than prioritize options or provide a comprehensive list. The inclusion or exclusion of a specific option does not imply CBO’s endorsement or rejection. The report does not offer any recommendations in accordance with CBO’s obligation to provide impartial and objective analysis.

This policy option proposes that beginning in January 2024, the VA would evaluate the income levels of both current and prospective recipients of VA disability compensation. Veterans would only receive full compensation if their gross household income in the prior calendar year fell below a threshold that is adjusted for inflation annually. Veterans with income above the threshold would receive a phased reduction in their compensation. For every two dollars of additional gross household income, their compensation would decrease by one dollar. Veterans with a gross household income of $170,000 or more in 2023, who would have received the average annual payment, would no longer receive any disability compensation from the VA in 2024. The income threshold would not be adjusted for household size, and the current eligibility requirements and benefits for surviving family members of veterans would remain unchanged.

Contact your Reps today to alert them to this horrible and dishonorable suggestion to cut benefits to our nations heroes.