McMorris Rodgers Votes to Hold the VA Accountable

House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement after the House passed the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act (H.R. 5620). Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL), Chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the bill strengthens whistleblower protections, reforms the Department’s disability benefits appeals process, and provides additional authority to the Secretary to reprimand employees for performance or misconduct.

“The problems at the VA are deeply rooted at every level of this obsolete government model, and it’s failing our veterans,” said McMorris Rodgers. “This legislation protects whistleblowers and makes it easier for the Secretary to reprimand employees for bad behavior and for being disconnected from their mission. To our veterans, their families, and concerned Americans across this country, these reforms are common sense and long overdue, and I agree. I am grateful for Chairman Miller’s leadership on this bill. Our heroes sacrificed so much in defense of our great nation. That sacrifice shouldn’t continue when their tours end. The best way to show our gratitude to those who have served is to get them the care they earned – and before it’s too late.”