New York, NY (February 10, 2020) — On Monday, the Trump Administration released its proposed budget for 2021. One of the most notable inclusions is a 13 percent budget increase to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA saw the only double-digit increase out of all cabinet departments.

There are few details on how this money would address the many issues in which the government is failing to meet its commitment to those who served including veteran mental health and suicide, reforming the VA to help women veterans, or increasing outreach to victims of toxic burn pits.

“We applaud this administration’s focus on veterans and addressing the community’s unique needs,” said Jeremy Butler, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “However, much is still unclear on how and where these funds would be allocated. Full funding of the VA must be combined with sensible solutions to the new and existing challenges faced by our veteran community.  As we always have, we encourage the administration to engage with Veteran Service Organizations like Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to ensure that Administration priorities and goals align with what veterans actually need.”