Senator John Walsh

Press Releases

Press Release of Senator Walsh

Walsh backs legislation to reclaim bonuses from employees who falsified VA wait times

Bipartisan bill holds violators accountable

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

(US SENATE)—Senator John Walsh today cosponsored legislation that would require employees in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who falsified wait times at health care facilities to give back their bonuses.

Some of these bonuses were given to reward falsified low wait times. The bill would require the VA Secretary to reclaim bonuses awarded after 2011 and take back the bonuses of more senior employees who were aware of fraudulent wait times.

“This bill is a first step holding people accountable for the failed policy for our nation’s veterans,” Walsh said. “It is outrageous that taxpayers paid bonuses to workers who made it more difficult for our veterans to access the healthcare they have earned.”

Walsh, the Senate’s only Iraq War Combat Veteran, continues to fight for improved health care for our nation’s veterans. He recently introduced legislation to strengthen veterans’ mental health services and suicide prevention programs.

The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Senator Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).