Mark Takano: “I thank the ranking member for yielding time. And I want to thank Ranking Member Walz and Chairman Roe for their work on…”

“I thank the ranking member for yielding time. And I want to thank Ranking Member Walz and Chairman Roe for their work on the issue of accountability and their tireless commitment to our Nation's veterans. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. Throughout the debate over accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs, I have advocated for legislation that holds VA employees accountable, without violating their constitutional right to due process. {time} 1500 This legislation strikes that balance far better than previous accountability proposals. This compromise respects current grievance procedures, maintains existing due process protections, and improves the appeals process by requiring managers to present employees with all of the evidence before they move on a disciplinary action. Today we are voting to strengthen whistleblower protections. This bill codifies the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and it mandates that its Director is a Senate-confirmed position instead of a political appointee. It also offers training on how to handle whistleblowers correctly, which will encourage employees to come forward if they witness misconduct. Do I have concerns about this bill? Absolutely, I do. This is not the accountability legislation that I would have written.…”