Rep. Kind's VA Inspector General Transparency Bill Included in 2016 Funding Bill

La Crosse, WI – Today, a number of provisions from U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s Inspectors General Transparency Act of 2015 were included in the 2016 funding bill. The bill is expected to come to the House floor for a vote on Friday.

“After months of pushing my colleagues to increase transparency in the VA Inspector General’s office I was pleased to see a number of the provisions from my Inspectors General Transparency Act of 2015 included in the 2016 spending bill,” said Rep. Kind. “By working together to ensure greater transparency in the VA system, we can make sure the tragic events at Tomah are never repeated.”

Earlier this year Rep. Kind brought together the entire Wisconsin delegation to sponsor his bill, the Inspectors General Transparency Act of 2015. Additionally, in July he sent a letter to House Leadership requesting they move forward on the legislation.

The 2016 Omnibus includes an expansion of whistleblower protection to assure that VA medical staff has the same protections as other VA employees. In addition, the OIG is required to provide all work products to the Congress in a consistent and timely manner to support oversight, share work products with any individual or entity that requested it, and post final reports on the IG website no later than 3 days after it is submitted in final form.