Press Releases

Dr. Bucshon Supports Landmark VA Accountability Bill

Congress sends legislation to President Trump granting the VA Secretary authority to fire employees for misconduct and protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.

On Tuesday, the House passed S. 1094, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, landmark legislation to implement necessary reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs that hold bad actors accountable and protect whistleblowers.

Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. released the following statement after voting to send S. 1094 to President Trump for his signature:

“The VA is failing to live up to the commitment made to our veterans and that should be unacceptable to every American,” said Bucshon. “To turn things around, the Secretary of the VA should be able to hold bad employees accountable, which is made nearly impossible under current law. The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act is landmark legislation that ensures bad actors are terminated or held accountable and whistleblowers who bring forward misconduct are protected. This legislation builds off our work to provide robust funding and badly needed reforms that improve the care delivered to veterans after several scandals involving VA-provided care came to light, like the atrocities we saw at the Phoenix VA. Our previous work combined with the legislation we passed today go a long way to ensuring veterans receive the timely and quality care that they have earned through their service.  I’m happy President Trump supports this common-sense measure and intends to sign it into law.”

After the U.S. Senate passed S. 1094 on June 6, 2017, President Donald Trump called on the House to expeditiously approve the legislation tweeting, “Senate passed the VA Accountability Act. The House should get this bill to my desk ASAP! We can’t tolerate substandard care for our vets.”