Congressman Keith Self Introduces Bill to Send $56 Million in Unusable Funds Back to Treasury

Congressman Keith Self (TX-03) introduced a bill that would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to send $56 million in unusable funds back to the Treasury Department.

In 2009, under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) Fund was created to provide one-time payments to eligible Filipino individuals who served in the Philippines during World War II. Congress later funded these payments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, with an initial appropriation of $198 million. As claims exceeded early projections, Congress authorized an additional transfer of up to $67 million to ensure all eligible payments could be made.

As of March 2025, VA has confirmed there are no remaining pending claims or appeals, and no further payments will be made from the fund. Currently, $56 million remains unobligated in the account which, by law, is available until expended, and is unable to be redirected by VA.

The government should not hoard unneeded taxpayer money," said Congressman Self. "With the program fully delivered and these deserving individuals compensated, the responsible action is simple: return the remaining funds to the Treasury and restore fiscal discipline."

Congressman Self's Compensation Fund Recrediting Act will formally deauthorize the FVEC Fund and close out the account, sending all remaining funds back to the Treasury.

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