Accountability and Discipline at the VA

Statement

This week, Congressman Lamborn introduced H.R. 611, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2017, accompanied by similar legislation Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced in the Senate. Congressman Lamborn released the following statement about this bill:

"Holding the VA accountable has been a top priority throughout my tenure in Congress, and it is past time to get these reform efforts across the finish line and passed into law. After three years of witnessing systemic abuse--including falsified waitlists, whistleblower retaliation, and abysmal patient care--this bill will provide real accountability and culture change at the VA.

Too often, misbehaving and even criminal employees have continued to receive a salary at taxpayers' expense. This strong piece of legislation expedites the discipline process to make it easier to demote or fire employees for misconduct. Although I recognize that the vast majority of VA employees are good people trying to serve our veterans, we cannot ignore the serious problems that result from employee misconduct. Eliminating the worst of the worst will send a clear message to all agency employees and will begin to change the culture of corruption that has become too prevalent at the VA. We owe it to honest VA employees, American taxpayers, and especially our veterans to hold the VA accountable for misdeeds.

I urge my colleagues in the House and the Senate to support my legislation, and I encourage President-elect Trump to sign these reform efforts into law during his first 100 days."

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