Mike Johnson

Given the narrow House majority, Johnson could only afford four defections. Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) initially sided with Democrats in favor of striking the cuts, but changed her vote at the last minute. The legislation now stands in limbo, and it’s uncertain when it could gain further consideration.

Lawmakers who supported the VA bill expressed their frustration on the House floor, with one yelling someone was “pissing me off.”

The cuts to disability compensation for tinnitus and sleep apnea are already on a path to be enacted, with the savings set to go back to the Treasury Department.

“The good simply DOES NOT outweigh the bad when it comes to the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act,” Disabled American Veterans wrote on X. “The bill would cut up to $57 billion in future disability compensation for 1.5 million veterans but provides only $7.9 billion in new VA benefits, just 14%. That’s a terrible deal for disabled veterans!”

HOUSE FOP DISTRUST OF SENATE CLOUDS $95 BILLION RECONCILIATION EFFORT

Those in favor of the cuts argue the bill “modernizes” the VA disability system.

“The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act Delivers on the promise we have made to put veterans – not big government – back in charge,” House Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL) wrote earlier this week. “The bill builds on the CHOICE Act and the MISSION Act to expand vitally important healthcare access so they can get the best healthcare – close to home, and without delay.