On the recordJuly 29, 2015
Today I rise in support of H.R. 1994, legislation to allow the VA Secretary to fire employees because of poor performance or misconduct. I want to thank Chairman Miller for his strong leadership on this bill. The VA Committee has been relentless in our pursuit of answers and accountability for our veterans since the wait time scandal first surfaced. And, yet, the VA has only held three individuals responsible for these unacceptable failings. I am the father of a veteran, and I served our returning heroes as a doctor at the Iron Mountain VA hospital for 20 years. I know exactly the quality of our veterans, and they deserve so much better. In northern Michigan, we all know that, if you don't do your job, you get fired. It is that simple. The VA needs to remember that it is not there to serve the VA, it is there to serve our veterans. Until we refocus the VA on this fundamental and sacred mission, we will continue to have the issues of mismanagement and incompetence that have plagued the Department. This bill takes an important step in that direction. I am pleased to support it. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
