Page 24 - Desert Oracle January 2021

WASHINGTON UPDATE

Recent news regarding legislation and regulatory actions affecting veterans and people with disabilities.

Written and produced by Paralyzed Veterans of America - Government Relations Department

December 23, 2020 Volume 26, Number 22

PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN TAPS DENIS MCDONOUGH FOR VA SECRETARY

President-elect Joe Biden has announced that he intends to nominate Denis McDonough as the
next VA Secretary. McDonough, who served as the 26th White House chief of staff during
President Obama's entire second term, has worked in other government roles as a deputy
national security advisor and foreign policy advisor. PVA looks forward to understanding more
about the vision Mr. McDonough has for VA.

FISCAL YEAR 2021 APPROPRIATIONS AND COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE PROVISIONS
HEADED TO THE PRESIDENT

On December 21, the House and Senate passed a massive legislative package, which included
funding for the federal government for fiscal year (FY) 2021; additional COVID relief measures;
and a host of other provisions pending in Congress. The legislation is now awaiting the
President’s signature.

Key Appropriations Details:
• $104.4 billion in discretionary funds for VA, which is an increase of $12.5 billion over FY
2020. This includes $90 billion for VA medical care. The funding for VA medical care
includes the following:
o $10.3 billion for mental health;
o $1.2 billion for the caregiver program;
o $815 million for medical and prosthetic research; and
o $661 million for women veterans’ health care.
• $316 million for the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, an increase of $5
million above FY 2020. Of this amount there is $58 million for the Homeless Veterans
Reintegration Program and $31 million for the Transition Assistance Program.
• $2.3 billion for the Administration for Community Living, which is $35 million above FY
2020. This amount includes: $952 million for Senior Nutrition programs and $200 million
for Family Caregivers Services.

Paralyzed Veterans of America
Government Relations Department
th
801 18 Street, NW ∙ Washington, DC 20006
(800) 424-8200 ∙ (800) 795-4327 ∙ www.pva.org