Congress fails to address VA budget shortfall before leaving town

Congress failed to pass legislation before leaving town to address a roughly $3 billion budget shortfall for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as officials warn millions of veterans' benefits are at risk in the coming weeks.

Some senators had been hopeful of expediting legislation to patch the shortfall before leaving this week for a monthlong recess as a Sept. 20 deadline looms. But that effort fell short amid increased scrutiny over what some Republicans have alleged is mismanagement at the agency.