Advocates say the administration's plan for fiscal 2021 fall about $4 billion short of the needs of America's veterans. The eight-point mantra is designed to encourage veterans to continue serving their communities even after leaving the military. The event underscores a growing rift between some of the country's most prominent veterans advocates and the White House. The term will command much of the debate at the new VA secretary's confirmation hearing, but different groups have different definitions. Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, the White House physician, is a relative unknown in the veterans community. Advocates say they're close to a deal to add three major pieces of VA legislation to the budget bill under consideration this week. The move reverses VA's strong stance last year defending the medical testing on dogs as necessary and justified. Veterans groups want caregivers from all eras to be eligible for stipends and other assistance, but the plan would cost billions in coming years. Supporters admit the idea of closing VA buildings nationwide will be controversial, but said too many existing facilities are aging and underused. Veterans advocates are pushing back on a House plan to severely limit medical testing on dogs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, saying it will cut off vital research for America’s wounded warriors. No more stories