Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise to urge support for Congressman Self's amendment, which will prohibit the funds from this bill to be used to give critical skills incentive, or CSI, bonuses to senior executives at the VA Central Office. Recently, the VA Office of Inspector General released a report that found that the VHA and the VBA improperly awarded over $10 million of these bonuses to senior bureaucrats in the VA Central Office. What is worse is that this was no technical glitch or error. This was a strategic move by the Under Secretaries of Health and Benefits to line the pockets of D.C. bureaucrats. Just this week, we held a hearing in the House Veterans' Affairs Committee where Secretary McDonough tried to explain their actions. However, their actions are inexcusable. Meanwhile, this is a slap in the face to rank-and-file VA employees, such as the nurse making sure a veteran has a quality visit to a VA hospital or the caseworker assisting a veteran with a claim, who will work their tails off day in and day out to serve our heroes. I served in the U.S. military, and one of the guiding principles is that leaders eat last. Clearly, in this instance, the bureaucrats at the VA ate first. {time} 0930 This is why I have sponsored this amendment, which would prohibit the VA from using these bonuses to pad the pockets of their bureaucratic friends, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”