Mark Takano: “In Congress, we can all agree that greater accountability is sorely needed within the Department of Veterans Affairs. We…”

“In Congress, we can all agree that greater accountability is sorely needed within the Department of Veterans Affairs. We are all outraged that VA employees whose misconduct has harmed veterans have remained in their jobs. Last summer, we were all horrified that the VA medical centers in Phoenix and elsewhere manipulated patient wait times. This spring, in Denver, we were frustrated by the huge cost overruns with no real accountability. I agree with my Republican colleagues that the VA must do a better job of using its existing authorities to hold bad employees, such as these, accountable. Unfortunately, this lack of accountability has overshadowed the excellent work of the vast majority of VA employees-- over a third of them veterans themselves, whose genuine caring and tireless efforts honor veterans' service to our Nation. I believe it is wrong to assume VA employees are guilty until proven innocent, and I believe that H.R. 1994 is the wrong way to achieve greater accountability at the VA. This afternoon, I am offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1994. The text of my amendment is based on my bill, H.R. 2999, the Fair VA Accountability Act. I urge all of my colleagues to support it today.…”