VA halts new spending on criticized ad campaign

VA halts new spending on criticized ad campaign
Marine Corps Times
By Rick Maze
Staff writer
October 16, 2013

A key lawmaker is pressing the Veterans Affairs Department to cancel $5 million in television and radio advertising, saying the expense seems inappropriate at a time when the almost 10,000 VA workers are furloughed and there is concern about whether veterans will receive Nov. 1 benefits checks.

He’s too late — the ad campaign has already ended.

Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said in a Oct. 14 letter that the expense of ad campaigns in 20 media markets over the past six weeks are “ill-timed” and suggests VA “redirect” the money toward “higher priorities.”

But VA officials said the ads, purchased in early September, ended last weekend after their scheduled six-week run.

Miller complained the advertising, aimed at encouraging veterans to check out VA resources and benefits, is “counterproductive” because the partial government shutdown that began Oct. 1 at the start of the fiscal year has reduced VA services.
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