Washington, DC – Today Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) acted to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees accountable for their actions and to protect whistleblowers by voting for S. 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Whistleblower Protection Act. This bill passed the House by a vote 368 to 55.
“Accountability and protection for whistleblowing are critical to ensuring the VA provides quality care to America’s heroes,” Rep. Pete Olson said. “We made a promise to care for our veterans when they return home. Empowering the VA to remove employees who put veteran care at risk and ensuring those who report misconduct are protected are needed reforms. I’m proud of the quick action by both the House and Senate and urge the president to sign this commonsense bill into law to give our veterans the care they deserve.”
- 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Whistleblowers Protection Act allows the VA to expedite termination, demotion or suspension of employees for misconduct or performance. It will also redeem bonuses incorrectly awarded to employees and decrease pensions of employees convicted of felonies related to their jobs at the VA.