Veterans Legislation from Previous Years

Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (H.R. 2015)

Public Law No: 105-33 (signed into law on August 5, 1997)

Spending on veterans programs will rise each year, with outlays increasing from $39.4 billion in fiscal year 1997 to $42.4 billion in fiscal year 2002.

Public Law 105-65 (signed into law on October 27, 1997)

Total funding for VA programs in this bill = $40.45 billion, including:

• $17.06 billion VA medical care, which is $30 million above President's request and more than $300 million above the amount assumed for veterans medical spending in the budget agreement;
• $21.7 billion for the Veterans Benefits Administration, which represents an increase of $370 million over current year levels; and
• Increases for state nursing home programs, construction, and research.

The conference provides funding to VBA to improve the timeliness of processing veterans claims and for Year 2000 computer conversions.

Public Law 105-85 (signed into law on November 18, 1997)

The fiscal year 1998 defense spending recommendation of $268.2 billion in budget authority is an increase of $2.6 billion over the President's budget request.

FY 1997 National Defense Authorization Bill (H.R.3230)

Public Law 104-201 (signed into law on September 23, 1996)

Public Law: 104-204 (signed into law on September 26, 1996)

Sen. Byrd's Veterans Homepage