Rick Allen: “Today I rise in support of the VA Accountability First Act. This legislation provides the VA's Secretary with increased…”

“Today I rise in support of the VA Accountability First Act. This legislation provides the VA's Secretary with increased ability to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct. Why it takes legislation to enforce common sense is beyond me. Just like in the business world, the VA and its employees must be held accountable for their actions. Three weeks ago, I hosted a veterans townhall in Swainsboro, Georgia. Many of the complaints and concerns shared with me were about wait times. One thing no one has enough of is time, especially our veterans. For far too long, veterans have waited for care at their own expense. This is unacceptable. It is our responsibility to not only take care of, but provide the best possible care to our servicemen and -women. Getting rid of bad and incompetent actors is a great place to start. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. It is truly the least we can do for those who have done so much for us. ____________________”