The House on Monday rejected legislation that would add $2 billion in new funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Choice Program, which allows former servicemembers to get non-VA medical care if they face extended wait times or live more than 40 miles from a VA medical center.
The Republican leaders were apparently confident that the funding would pass easily, as they brought it up as a suspension bill, which would have allowed them to pass it more quickly with a two-thirds majority vote.
However, almost all Democrats voted against the bill; it failed in a 219-187 vote. Republicans may try to pass it again under regular order with a simple majority.
The Choice Program was created in 2014 after stories became public about veterans having to wait weeks and weeks to get VA health care.
AAN Staff
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