Mark Takano: “I express my full support of Representative Kirkpatrick's amendment to H.R. 5620. I would like to thank Chairman Miller…”

“I express my full support of Representative Kirkpatrick's amendment to H.R. 5620. I would like to thank Chairman Miller for working with Representative Kirkpatrick to develop a bipartisan amendment we all can support. Whistleblowers are critical to uncovering and eliminating misconduct and wrongdoing at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Without them, serious issues like those discovered at the Phoenix VA facility may never have been brought to our attention. The courageous VA employees who chose to speak out deserve our respect and protection. We must create an environment in which whistleblowers expect appreciation, not retribution. Representative Kirkpatrick's amendment, which would create the VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, will help us achieve that goal. Representative Kirkpatrick's amendment has been developed in consultation with the Office of Special Counsel and includes language from the Senate's bipartisan Veterans First Act. The amendment would create an independent VA Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, which would report directly to the VA Secretary. The office would staff an anonymous hotline and refer whistleblower complaints to the appropriate office or entity for investigation and investigate allegations of misconduct, retaliation, or poor performance of senior executives and supervisors. Mr.…”