Florida Senator Rick Scott, alongside Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), introduced the bipartisan Restore VA Accountability Act aimed at strengthening the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ability to discipline and remove underperforming employees. The legislation is being touted as a vital step to ensure America’s veterans receive the highest standard of care and services they have earned.
“Our veterans have put everything on the line and deserve the best care possible,” said Senator Scott. “This bill will make the VA more efficient and accountable, ensuring that it prioritizes the well-being of those who served our country.”
READ: Dems Quietly Used Little-Known NIH Office To Fund Child Sex-Change Experiments With Taxpayer Cash
The legislation, which has received strong bipartisan support, seeks to reinstate provisions from the 2017 VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which initially gave VA leadership greater authority to address poor performance within the agency. Lawmakers argue that recent court decisions and policy changes under the Biden administration weakened those accountability measures, leading to inefficiencies and misconduct within the VA system.
The Restore VA Accountability Act would:
- Empower VA leaders to take swift action against employees who fail to meet performance standards or engage in misconduct.
- Eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have allowed poor-performing employees to be reassigned rather than disciplined or terminated.
- Ensure appeals processes are expedited and backed by substantial evidence to prevent unnecessary delays in addressing performance issues.
- Align accountability measures for VA managers with those already in place for senior executives.
Senator Moran emphasized that the majority of VA employees are dedicated and hardworking but said that “it only takes a few bad actors to disrupt the culture and service at the VA.” He stressed the importance of giving VA leaders the ability to act decisively to maintain trust and efficiency.
READ: Trump Signs Presidential Memo To Address Cost-Of-Living Crisis, Slash Prices
Representative Bost echoed Moran’s sentiments, saying, “Over the past two years, we’ve uncovered scandal after scandal where bad VA employees were simply shuffled around instead of being held accountable. This legislation restores the original intent of Congress and President Trump to ensure real accountability.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville added, “Taking care of our veterans is a sacred duty. Veterans should have the best medical care in this country, but at times they have had some of the worst. Veterans shouldn’t be waiting in excruciatingly long lines because the VA’s priorities are misplaced. This legislation restores the VA Accountability Act to its full strength by cutting bureaucratic red tape to allow VA leaders to discipline employees who aren’t doing their jobs.”
The bill is also supported by leading veterans’ advocacy organizations such as The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The American Legion, Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), and Student Veterans of America (SVA), all of whom have expressed strong support for restoring accountability at the VA.
Pat Murray, Legislative Director of the VFW, stated, “Veterans deserve the highest quality of care, and this legislation is crucial to maintaining trust and accountability within the VA system.”
READ: Dems Quietly Used Little-Known NIH Office To Fund Child Sex-Change Experiments With Taxpayer Cash
In 2017, Congress passed the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act with overwhelming bipartisan support after the nationwide VA access crisis revealed systemic failures and poor performance within the department. However, recent legal rulings and administrative rollbacks have diminished the VA’s ability to discipline employees effectively.
The new bill aims to restore those original provisions and prevent further delays in addressing staff misconduct, which lawmakers say negatively affects veterans’ access to timely and quality healthcare.
“America’s veterans deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that works tirelessly on their behalf,” said Senator Scott. “This bill will restore trust in the system and ensure that those who served our nation receive the care they have rightfully earned.”
The Restore VA Accountability Act is expected to move swiftly through Congress, with lawmakers urging their colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support its passage. With backing from veterans’ advocacy groups and bipartisan support, proponents believe it has a strong chance of becoming law in the coming months.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.