Budzinski Convenes Emergency Meeting of Veterans Advisory Council Amid Government Shutdown

<p><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. –</strong>&nbsp;Today,&nbsp;<strong>Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)&nbsp;</strong>convened an emergency meeting of her Veterans Advisory Council to discuss how the government shutdown is impacting services for the brave men and women who served our country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The advisory group highlighted how the shutdown has caused uncertainty and exacerbated delays for veterans looking to access benefits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our veterans deserve to know that the benefits and services they rely on at VA will be available when they need them,” said&nbsp;<strong>Congresswoman Budzinski</strong>. “Right now, because of the government shutdown, that is unfortunately not the reality. I convened my Veterans Advisory Council today to hear from folks on the ground exactly how the veteran community – and the dedicated VA workforce – are being impacted by Republicans’ failure to come to the negotiating table. Our conversation underscored that we need a bipartisan solution that ends the shutdown, protects healthcare, and ensures the VA has the tools it needs to support our nation’s veterans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2437" height="572" src="https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/budzinski.house.gov/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-at-12.15.26-PM-1024x572.png" width="1024" /></figure>

<p>The following VA services and programs will continue despite the government shutdown:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Veterans healthcare</li>

<li>VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered (including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits)</li>

<li>Burials will continue at VA cemeteries </li>

<li>The Board of Veterans Appeals will continue to make decisions on Veterans’ cases. </li>

<li>The Veterans Crisis Line (988+1) will remain open 24/7 </li>

<li>VA Homelessness Services</li>

<li>OIT will still function and service VA departments</li>
</ul>

<p>Among the government services being impacted by the lapse in appropriations, the following VA programs are not functioning during the government shutdown:&nbsp;</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Veteran Career Counseling or transition assistance program activities </li>

<li>GI Bill Hotline will be offline during the shutdown</li>

<li>VA Benefits regional offices have closed</li>

<li>VA ceased public affairs and individual outreach to veterans </li>

<li>VA will not maintain grounds at VA National Cemeteries </li>

<li>VA will not process applications for pre-need burials </li>

<li>Native American Veterans Direct Loan Program/Vendee Loan Program</li>

<li>VBA Transition Assistance Programs</li>

<li>Whistleblower services internal to the VA</li>

<li>Liaison support within offices of the Secretary to Women and Minority Veterans and Veteran Service Organizations</li>
</ul>

<p>Congresswoman Budzinski serves as the Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats-veterans.house.gov/subcommittees/technology-modernization">Technology Modernization Subcommittee</a>.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://budzinski.house.gov/posts/budzinski-convenes-emergency-meeting-of-veterans-advisory-council-amid-government-shutdown">Budzinski Convenes Emergency Meeting of Veterans Advisory Council Amid Government Shutdown</a> appeared first on <a href="https://budzinski.house.gov">Nikki Budzinski</a>.</p>