Focus at Four: Veterans Affairs during a government shutdown
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Senators on Capitol Hill passed a short-term funding extension to attempt to avoid a government shutdown just hours ago.
Then, the House, moments before First News at Four began, passed the resolution, keeping the government funded.
The bill is only a short-term solution, and likely, in a few months, the government will be faced with this issue once again.
The shutdown would have impacted federally funded organizations like transportation, and Veterans Affairs.
To break down how a government shutdown would affect veterans, Pamela Robertson, the Brazos County Veteran Service Officer, joined First News at Four.
“One thing is in College Station and Bryan, education guidance would not be there. They could still come down to the county Veterans Services and we’ll guide them, but the actual VA education line will not be open,” said Robertson.
A shutdown would also mean things such as VA cemetery maintenance would not be able to continue, and regional benefits offices would be closed.
Other resources, such as the VA contact centers (1-800-MYVA411), and the Veteran Crisis Line (DIAL 988, PRESS 1) are available 24/7 and are not impacted by government shutdowns.
For more information on what contingency plans the Veterans Affairs office has in place, click here.
To watch the full interview, click on the video player above.
