For as long as I can remember, it has been Congress which has screwed veterans. Year after year, administration after administration, Republican and Democrat, budget submissions have gone to Congress, only to be whittled down there. Congresspersons give a lot of lip service to "supporting the troops," but the memories get short as soon as other 'competing interests" arise. That goes for funds for housing today and healthcare tomorrow.

Just to note: items within federal budgets often get referred as different "colors of money." So, money budgeted for a specific item, such as housing, cannot be reallocated to weapon systems or salaries unless there is Congressional approval for the reallocation. That's just the way it is, so even if the local base commander wants to renovate housing, unless there's money allocated specifically for that purpose in that base's budget, it ca't get done without that budget line item - and only up to that amount AND specifically for the type of renovation authorized.

Yet - compare the healthcare, pension criteria (and value) and other perks that Congresspersons vote themselves to any other category of federal employee - civilian or military. The number differential is astounding! Recruiters may lie, but nobody tells bigger whoppers than that Member of Congress!