The House voted 368-55 Tuesday to send President Trump legislation to ease worker protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation, written in response to recent scandals at the department over manipulation of waiting lists and poor conditions at hospitals, will make it easier to fire VA workers over such problems.
The legislation, dubbed the “Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act,” also would remove the VA workers from the payroll should they contest their dismissal. Employees found guilty of wrongdoing would be prohibited from receiving bonuses or being compensated for being relocated. The legislation also would require the VA to evaluate supervisors on their ability to protect whistleblowers.
“I am thrilled that the House has passed the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act,” said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who authored the bill with Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Jon Tester, D-Mont. “I want to thank House leadership for quickly taking action and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman [Phil] Roe and Ranking Member [Tim] Walz for their support of this critical issue. Now, with President Trump’s support, this bill is on its way to becoming the law of the land to help ensure that the VA is accountable to our nation’s veterans.”
Public service employee unions opposed the legislation. American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. accused the lawmakers of subjecting VA employees to a “witch hunt.”
The bipartisan legislation sailed out of the Senate last week on a voice vote. Tuesday’s House vote was less bipartisan, with one Republican joining 54 Democrats to oppose it.
“Lives will be saved as a result of this legislation. We’re grateful that Congress came together on this important issue, and veterans across the country can look forward to a new culture of accountability and integrity at the VA once the President signs this bill into law,” said Dan Caldwell, policy director for Concerned Veterans of America, which pushed for the reform.
