New VA Accountability bill backed by Alabama GOP Congressmen earns veto threat from Obama

Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System - West Campus (Photo: Dept. of Veterans Affairs) — Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System – West Campus (Photo: Dept. of Veterans Affairs)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a bill Wednesday giving the Department of Veterans Affairs more power to remove underperforming employees in an effort to bring more accountability to the agency plagued with scandals.

The VA Accountability Act, sponsored by Florida Congressman Jeff Miller and cosponsored by Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL2), authorizes the VA to remove or demote an employee based on performance or misconduct, as well as provides protections for whistleblowers.

The entire Alabama Republican congressional delegation supported the Act. The state’s lone Democratic member of Congress, Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL7) voted with nearly all of her Democratic colleagues against the bill.

The Obama administration has already issued a veto threat for the legislation, in a move widely believed to be a show of solidarity with government employee unions.

“Our military veterans deserve our very best,” said Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL6). “The scandals at the VA demonstrate they have instead received some of our worst. This is wrong.”

“Correcting misconduct requires that people are held accountable for misbehavior. This bill will ensure greater accountability for VA employees by allowing for timely dismissal of employees who engage in misconduct, while ensuring whistleblower protection.”

Rep. Roby, who has been on the forefront of procuring more accountability for the VA since reports of manipulated waiting times and employee misconduct became known more than a year ago, said she believes the VA Accountability Act is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done.

“I believe sweeping authority to remove problem employees will help solve some of the broader problems with accountability that exist throughout this sprawling federal agency,” Roby told Yellowhammer Thursday.

“However, I also believe the VA has more acute problems at particularly troubled medical centers that will require more specific measures. That’s why this week I filed legislation to compel top Department of Veterans Affairs officials to intervene and take over failing VA medical centers. It’s called the Failing VA Medical Center Recovery Act, and it offers the VA new tools to turn around the worst of our health care centers and puts responsibility for doing so squarely on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.”

In an impassioned floor speech Tuesday, Roby specifically highlighted the lack of institutional control in Alabama. “I’m glad the Secretary used his authority to take control of the situation in Phoenix. But my question is, why not Montgomery? Why not Tuskegee? Why not come and take control of the worst or second worst situation in the country, especially after we have repeatedly asked and pleaded him to do so?”

“I’m tired of asking, and that’s why my bill requires the VA to step in and take charge,” she said.