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Wednesday, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined his U.S. House of Representatives colleagues in passing legislation to increase accountability and oversight at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill, H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act, provides the VA with more flexibility to remove employees for performance or misconduct. The bill also provides veterans with additional options to pursue an appealed claim.

“The VA exists to provide care and keep the promises that were made to the men and women who served our country with honor,” said Latta. “Employees that hinder care for our veterans, whether due to misconduct or poor performance, need to be be removed from their positions. Ensuring accountability and transparency at the agency is the best way we can ensure our veterans get the care they have earned and deserve.”

H.R. 5620 shortens the appeals process for fired VA employees. The current appeals process can often drag on for more than a year. In addition, the bill provides important whistleblower protections by ensuring that employees that file a complaint to the Office of Special Counsel can’t be fire until their complaints are resolved. The legislation also halts all bonuses for senior employees for five years.

For veterans that have submitted a claim, H.R. 5620 would allow veterans to elect for faster decisions to be made on their claims and provide more options to pursue a decision.

Additionally, the legislation allows the VA Secretary to reduce the pensions of senior employees who are convicted of a felony that influenced their job.

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