On the recordMay 19, 2016
No one shares the gentleman's concerns more than I do about the inappropriate relocation incentive payments the VA initially paid to two executives at the Philadelphia regional office. The VA has since reformed its policies, and I hope we will never ever hear again about such egregious staff misconduct and inappropriate reimbursements. However, I do think that the relocation incentive can be an important tool in some circumstances. Although I have no objection to the gentleman's amendment, I think this may need to be refined a bit in conference to reflect the usefulness of the tool, when used appropriately. As I said, there was egregious misconduct in Philadelphia, as the gentleman correctly points out. There is no question. In fact, many of us went and visited the Philadelphia regional office at about that time for a hearing, both Republicans and Democrats, authorizers and appropriators, to discuss the challenges at that particular office. That said, I have no objection to the amendment.
