It is that time of year again. No, not the holiday season, but the time for the politics of Washington, DC to get in the way of getting important things done. Things like passing a budget to keep the government operations running. When the House of Representative, Senate, and President cannot come together to pass a budget, they eventually cobble together a Continuing (budget) Resolution. This CR, as it is known, provides ongoing funding for prescribed government operations for a specified period of time.

As has happened so often before, Congress passed a CR and the President signed it on October 1. But this CR is due to expire in December. In the wake of a contentious election, numerous lame-duck members of both chambers of Congress, and a final opportunity of many to make a parting point, a resolution is not guaranteed. What might this mean for the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The first time I experienced the governmental budgetary battle of wills and a government shutdown loomed, I was told that the VA was treated differently. I was told that the VA receives a rolling appropriation for two (2) years at a time, so that VA operations – patient care in particular – don’t risk having to shut down during such a crisis. This appears to not be exactly the case, at least not today. VA only rarely receives two-year appropriations, except for Research, and can be affected just like any other branch. Because of its mission the VA many times receives "advanced appropriations" covering its operating budget. However, less mission-critical items like major equipment construction, performance pay and such could be delayed and affected by failure of a CR.

The current CR, titled “Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021” includes the following language:

“The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, for the several departments, agencies, corporations, and other organizational units of Government for fiscal year 2021, and for other purposes, namely:

101. Such amounts as may be necessary, at a rate for operations as provided in the applicable appropriations Acts for fiscal year 2020 and under the authority and conditions provided in such Acts, for continuing projects or activities (including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees) that are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Act, that were conducted in fiscal year 2020, and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available in the following appropriations Acts: The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 (division F of Public Law 116–94), except title V.”

Each CR basically continues funding of the specified functions at the previously funded levels for the duration of the CR. To find these details one must dig into each referenced Act or provision. These define what functions of the VA (and all other covered agencies) will continue unabated if a budget or CR cannot be agreed to. While some functions are sacrosanct and therefore going to continue, other functions may be left unfunded. This could have long term impact on the underpinnings of patient care and research, even if the essential mission-critical functions are protected.