Bilirakis: Our Veterans Deserve Better

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, voted in passage of H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act, and H.R. 3236, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act. The VA Accountability Act would reduce red tape at the VA, making it easier for the Secretary of the Veterans Administration (VA) to fire employees who fail in their duty to care for "those who have borne the battle," while simultaneously making it easier to hire dedicated, and hardworking employees. The Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act would address the VA's budget shortfall as a result of mismanagement by VA officials. This bill authorizes the transfer of over $3 billion from Veteran's Choice fund to allow the VA to continue operating for the remainder of the fiscal year. VA Secretary McDonald testified that the VA will close hospitals without Congressional action.

"Those brave women and men who return from serving our country should be able to receive timely access to quality care. That is the very least we can do for our Veterans," Bilirakis said. "I believe that most employees at the VA are dedicated to their duty and our nation's heroes. However, wait times persist, and a culture of mediocrity has permeated the VA – too many employees perform terribly and yet, are not fired. Sometimes, these people even continue to collect paychecks while they are suspended," Bilirakis continued. "The only way to change the culture at the VA is to systematically remove the individuals who are failing our Veterans. Anything less is an affront to our nation's heroes - a slap in the face to those who have served."

The Government Accountability Office reported that "it can take six months to a year (and sometimes significantly longer) to dismiss an employee." The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 256 – 170.

To watch Representative Bilirakis' remarks in support of H.R. 1994, click here.

"The VA should be accountable for the promises they make. These brave men and women who serve our country should not suffer because of VA mismanagement. Closing hospitals is not an option. Our Veterans have sacrificed too much. When our brave service members come home, we have to make sure they get the world-class care that matches their world-class service to our nation. I am happy to see Congress stepping up where the VA has failed," Bilirakis continued.

H.R. 1994 has support from the following Veteran Service Organizations:

• The American Legion
• The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
• Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
• Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
• Student Veterans of America (SVA)
• Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH)
• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
• The Reserve Officers Association (ROA)
• Concerned Veterans of America (CVA)
• The Retired Enlisted Association, (TREA)