claim: a government shutdown "could disrupt ... veterans' benefits."
author: debbie stabenow
evidence_1: sep 27, 2013 ... file has been updated. the department of veterans affairs told congressional  officials friday that all benefit checks it issues, including disability claims and  pension payments, will be disrupted if a government shutdown lasts for more  than two or three weeks, according to congressional sources. during the ...
evidence_2: sep 25, 2015 ... iava and other vets organizations are warning lawmakers that a government  shutdown would disrupt va benefits and services.
evidence_3: sep 30, 2013 ... veterans groups have reacted angrily to news that an extended government  shutdown will leave the department of veterans affairs unable to make disability  compensation and pension payments to veterans. losing the payments could  have a devastating impact, particularly on severely wounded veterans ...
evidence_4: apr 26, 2017 ... and while some veterans affairs employees could be furloughed, most of the  department's facilities and clinics remain fully functional during government  shutdowns, according to a va memo on the topic. access to in- and outpatient  care, prescriptions, surgeries, and mental health appointments likely won't ...
evidence_5: nov 29, 2017 ... most disturbingly, veterans affairs benefits were disrupted, and millions of  veterans and their families almost lost crucial financial assistance. and while  every shutdown is different, usa today predicted some similar outcomes the last  time a shutdown loomed — in april — which we can use to determine ...