CVA Urges Congress to Prevent Government Shutdowns and Support Extensions that will Save Veterans’ Lives

ARLINGTON, Va. ― This week, the House of Representatives released the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. This legislation includes Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 extensions for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure critical VA functions continue beyond October 1, 2025. Veterans, especially those who are service-connected, elderly, and experiencing homelessness, could be impacted by a government shutdown.  

CVA Executive Director John Vick on Wednesday urged Congress to prevent government shutdowns and endorsed the bill’s extension provisions to ensure vulnerable members of the veteran community don’t lose the lifesaving benefits they earned: 

“This government shutdown could be catastrophic for the veteran community, especially the most vulnerable among us, including vets who are service-connected, elderly, and homeless. The VA exists to keep the government’s promise to provide care for our nation’s heroes. If these extensions are not passed, it will halt the VA’s ability to deliver these vital services to veterans and their families, potentially preventing thousands of veterans from life-saving care.  

Passing the Continuing Resolution and ending shutdown threats through permanent solutions like the Preventing Government Shutdowns Act allows Congress to focus on tackling the real priorities: cutting waste, practicing fiscal responsibility, and advancing policies that expand opportunity and prosperity for all Americans ― including veterans and military families who continue to safeguard America’s interests. 

CVA urges principled lawmakers to take shutdowns off the table. We know they don’t solve problems ― they make them worse. We’re calling on all lawmakers to do the right thing, for veterans and for America.” 

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