On July 4th we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our nation. The Declaration, signed 238 years ago, and our Constitution, adopted thirteen years later, laid the groundwork for the greatest nation in history.

Our nation grew from thirteen colonies to fifty states, from sea to shining sea, and became a place where people from all over the world and all walks of life could develop their talents and provide a better life for themselves and their families.

The freedom and independence that we celebrate on July 4th are not free.

American sons and daughters have paid for it in blood and they have made many sacrifices for our freedoms.

On June 28th, Air National Guard Technical Sergeant Mike Sears from Beaver was honored with a Silver Star Medal, the third highest honor for valor in combat. TSgt Sears, a member of an explosive operations team, risked life and limb to save and protect fellow brothers-in-arms. Despite sustaining injuries to his left arm and a traumatic brain injury, TSgt Sears remained in Afghanistan to complete his deployment.

Veterans like TSgt Sears put their lives on the line for us. We have a solemn obligation to stand with them when they come home. It is a principle of solidarity.

We recently learned that all 470 senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs received the two highest annual ratings of “fully successful” or “outstanding” over the last four years.

Not one executive received ratings of “minimally satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory.”

More than 65% of these senior executives received bonuses averaging $9,000.

That is ridiculous when you consider that at least six veterans contracted Legionnaires’ disease and died at the Pittsburgh VA. In fact, the senior executive in charge during the relevant period received a glowing performance review and a huge bonus.

Many other veterans have been forced to wait unconscionable amounts of time on the New Enrollee Appointment Request List in Pittsburgh, on secret waiting lists in Phoenix and at other facilities around the country, and on the national disability claims backlog.

Given what we know about issues that have arisen at the VA, the fact that every VA executive received above average performance reviews is simply shocking.

Many caring, hardworking, and skilled doctors, nurses, and individuals serve our veterans at VA facilities around the nation.

The effusive performance ratings and bonuses for senior executives speak to the tone deafness and lack of accountability at the VA.

My colleagues and I have worked to find answers and provide veterans timely access to care.

Veterans should not be forced to wait excessive periods of time to receive the care they need. The Veterans Access to Care Act, which the House passed on June 10th in an overwhelmingly bipartisan 426-0 vote, provides veterans with the choice to visit a local hospital or doctor if the VA is unable to provide treatment in a timely manner.

This legislation also included a provision to prohibit bonuses for senior VA executives. I have championed this provision since coming to Congress because I believe that money is better spent providing veterans with first-rate care than it is on bonuses.

The Senate and President should also approve the VA Management Accountability Act. This legislation, which the House passed 390-33 on May 21st, would empower the VA Secretary to apply the kinds of performance standards and consequences common in the private sector to instill the necessary accountability.

VA employees are public servants. If they are not doing their jobs and fail to provide veterans with the care they need and deserve, they should make way for others who will.

To read more about efforts to hold the VA accountable and improve care for our veterans, please visit Rothfus.house.gov/working-for-accountability-and-transparency-at-the-VA.