Government spending bill would also codify VA’s customer experience office

The continuing resolution to keep the government funded through March 14 would, in part, formalize a VA office that gathers feedback to improve veteran services.

The stopgap funding bill unveiled by congressional leaders yesterday to avert a looming government shutdown also includes a provision that would permanently establish the Department of Veterans Affairs’ customer experience office.

Tucked away in the more than 1,500 page continuing resolution is a section that would codify the department’s Veterans Experience Office — or VEO — which VA first launched in 2015 and focuses on gathering feedback from veterans and their families to help improve the delivery of benefits and services.

The proposal builds upon legislation introduced in September by Reps. Nikki Budzinksi, D-Ill., and Julia Brownley, D-Calif., who are both members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. A similar bill from Sen. Angus King, I-Maine — also a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee ...