Pulaski Times

U.S. Senator John Boozman, alongside Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees Chairmen Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Mike Bost, has introduced a bill aimed at enhancing the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) capacity to manage underperforming employees. The legislation, known as the Restore VA Accountability Act, seeks to address challenges that have rendered previous accountability measures ineffective.

The original VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act was passed in 2017 with strong bipartisan support following a crisis in access to VA services. This law enabled VA leaders to discipline or dismiss poor-performing staff more effectively. However, recent decisions by various federal bodies have limited its applicability.

"When bad actors within the VA avoid accountability, veterans and their loved ones suffer," said Boozman. "That is unacceptable and clearly contrary to Congress’ intent to ensure a culture that delivers the highest standards of care."

Senator Moran emphasized the need for swift action against problematic employees: "Veterans are best served when VA leaders have the ability to act swiftly to remove bad employees from the VA workforce."

Congressman Bost noted recurring issues with middle management: "Over the past two years, we uncovered scandal after scandal of bad middle managers or employees at VA committing wrongdoing." He expressed concern about inadequate accountability measures during the Biden-Harris administration.

The proposed legislation has garnered support from several senators including Tommy Tuberville, Bill Cassidy, Marsha Blackburn, Jim Banks, Tim Sheehy, Kevin Cramer, Thom Tillis, Pete Ricketts, Rick Scott, James Risch, and Lindsey Graham. It also has companion legislation in the House with 25 cosponsors.

Veterans service organizations have voiced their approval for this initiative. Pat Murray from The Veterans of Foreign Wars highlighted its importance: "The VFW supports the Restore VA Accountability Act to improve VA's ability to hold employees to high standards our veterans deserve."

Jim Lorraine from America’s Warrior Partnership added that trust is crucial for effective service delivery: "For veterans to trust in the VA, employees and officials need to be held accountable for their actions."

John Byrnes from Concerned Veterans for America pointed out past leadership failures: "Amidst a veterans’ mental health and suicide epidemic...the outgoing Biden administration’s leadership at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs failed our nation’s heroes."

Additional endorsements came from Mario Marquez of The American Legion who praised efforts toward maintaining high accountability standards; Jared Lyon of Student Veterans of America emphasizing transparency; Bonnie Carroll from Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors acknowledging necessary workforce environment improvements; and Major General Frank McGinn (ret.) representing National Guard Association expressing gratitude towards congressional efforts supporting veterans.