Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV), voted to hold the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accountable after a number of reports surfaced that VA medical facilities were reporting inaccurate wait times for appointments and threatening the timely healthcare delivery for veterans across the country and in West Virginia. More than 40 Veterans have died as a result of these delays.

“Like all Americans, I was sickened by the reports of mismanagement and downright illegal acts at the VA,” said Rep. McKinley. “It’s clear that from top to bottom the VA must be held accountable. Our Veterans deserve the best care possible, not secret waiting lists and delayed care.”

Rep. McKinley co-sponsored this legislation (H.R. 4031) which gives VA Secretary Eric Shinseki the ability to fire or transfer VA employees based on their poor work performance.

“If hard-working men and women across this nation are held accountable by their daily work performance, the same should apply to employees at the VA,” added McKinley. “If these workers knowingly created ‘secret’ waiting lists or increased claims’ backlogs in order to get bonuses, they should be immediately held responsible and fired.”