Bilirakis Examines VA OIG Report

Today, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing to examine the VA Office of Inspector General's report on the inappropriate use of position and the misuse of the relocation program and incentives. Of the six witnesses expected to testify, Linda Halliday, Deputy Inspector General from the Office of Inspector General, was the only witness in attendance.

Members examined the IG's report in detail to determine the scope of the problem, discuss how the VA plans to hold those involved accountable, and help ensure veterans and taxpayers are protected from similar instances of waste and abuse in the future.

"Unfortunately, this lack of transparency and the issues uncovered by this report have not been uncommon with the VA," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. "We are continuously working to reform the VA to ensure our Veterans are receiving the support, care, and services they have rightly earned. I look forward to hearing from VA employees and working with my colleagues to prevent these issues in the future."

The Committee issued subpoenas to five employees of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to compel them to appear and provide testimony to the Committee during a hearing on November 2, 2015.

"We must continue our efforts to get to the bottom of this," added Bilirakis. "The money that Congress appropriated for the VA was intended to benefit our nation's Veterans, not those in the bureaucracy. Our nation's heroes and our taxpayers deserve much better."