On November 5, 2024, Senator Bill Hagerty requested that the OIG assess VA’s compliance with statutory transfer of funds limitations listed in relevant appropriations laws in effect during the continuing resolution. According to Senator Hagerty, the statutory transfer of funds authority and change of program requirements under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 would continue to apply during the presidential transition and continuing resolution. The OIG limited its review to the eight sections of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 that Senator Hagerty listed in a letter to the previous VA Secretary. The OIG reviewed sections 202, 217, 218, 227, 230, 231, 245, 405, and this management advisory memorandum conveys the results of the review.
The OIG found no issues with six of the eight sections. For the four sections that included transfers, the team noted that there were no applicable transfers during the review period. Additionally, VA received advanced approval for the reprogramming of major construction project funds greater than $7 million as required in section 231. The team also analyzed conversions and did not identify any that qualified for the requirements under section 245; VA confirmed no qualifying conversions occurred. While the OIG found quarterly reports provided under section 217 were late, it is not requesting action because a recommendation from a previously published OIG report in this area remains open. Finally, under section 227, the team found, in some cases, VA did not notify Congress 15 days before organizational changes that resulted in the transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalents from one organizational unit of the department to another as required. The OIG requested that the Office of Management inform the OIG what action, if any, is taken to notify Congress 15 days before any organizational changes involving the transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalents.
