VA’s IT shop defends raises under Special Salary Rate amid planned budget cuts
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Federal Drive with Tom Temin
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The Department of Veterans Affairs’ IT shop is preparing for budget cuts across some of its priority areas next year — but not for its growing workforce. VA’s Office of Information and Technology (VA OIT) is requesting $7.6 billion for IT systems and telecommunications support in its FY 2025 budget proposal.The department’s tech office would also receive $1.4 billion to modernize IT systems through the Toxic Exposures Fund authorized by the PACT Act. Its FY 2025 budget request amounts to a $49 million, or 0.6%, cut from enacted levels. Kurt DelBene, VA’s assistant secretary for information and technology and chief information officer, said the 2025 budget request reflects the overall federal spending caps the Biden administration and congressional Republicans agreed to, as part of a deal to lift the federal debt ceiling last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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