Pursuant to clause 2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, public hearing records of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs are also published in electronic form.

I want to address my remarks to Ms. Flanz and Ms. Lerner, but I do want to thank the whistleblowers for bringing your individual cases.

I want to follow--keep----

The retaliation simply isn't limited to employees of the VA but also patients of the VA who step forward.

This hearing will focus on the treatment of whistleblowers within the Department of Veterans Affairs, particularly the types and levels of retaliation they experience when reporting problems.

I am dismayed at the failure of the Department to adequately protect conscientious employees who seek to improve services provided to our veterans.

I would like to ask unanimous consent that the Hon. Martha Roby from the state of Alabama be allowed to join us on the dais.

This culture of intimidation and fear for VA employees cannot be changed overnight.

I thank you for the opportunity to testify, and am happy to answer your questions.

Dear Chairman Coffman

I hope that in the months and years ahead VA will be known as an organization that welcomes and encourages all employees to work to solve problems.

Congress should enact legislation that codifies accountability for those who retaliate against whistleblowers.

for the sake of the Veterans and employees, I hope he is.

VA does not currently have a tracking system to determine the magnitude of or trends in employee misconduct cases.

We will aggressively pursue relief for whistleblowers in these and other cases where the facts and circumstances support corrective action.

It takes real courage to put your careers at risk for coming forward and calling attention to problems and concerns.

not motivated by any political agenda, but based purely on a genuine interest in seeking solutions to address employee mistreatment.

This will send a message to the Veterans and employees that the salad days of cover-up and retaliation are over.