Mark Takano: “I thank the gentleman from Michigan, my good friend, for offering his amendment. Reluctantly, I rise in opposition to…”

“I thank the gentleman from Michigan, my good friend, for offering his amendment. Reluctantly, I rise in opposition to the amendment offered by the gentleman and Representative Sinema. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would require the IG to identify problem employees at the VA, and it would prohibit the VA from giving performance pay to these identified employees. I believe this amendment could compromise the integrity of the VA inspector general and the ability of the VA IG to investigate whistleblower complaints and bring to light problems at the VA. The amendment would force the IG to concentrate its efforts on identifying bad managers by name rather than focusing on recommending solutions to problems and conducting thorough and complete investigations. Requiring the IG to forward anything submitted to the VA would interject Congress into the very manner in which the IG drafts and finalizes reports. This change would call into question the integrity of the investigations that Congress relies on to shape policy and to find solutions. Finally, I believe that this amendment is vaguely drafted and that it raises more questions than it seeks to answer. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.”