Thornberry votes for VA accountability

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) voted in support of a bill that would improve accountability measures and whistleblower protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 H.R. 5620 passed the House by a vote of 310-116.

When our veterans turn to the VA for health care they deserve to know they will receive the best service possible and the majority of VA employees work hard to provide that type of care Thornberry said. If the Secretary does not have all of the tools necessary to hold people accountable and actually use them it is a disservice to the good employees the American taxpayers and most importantly our veterans.

H.R. 5620 gives the Secretary of the VA more authority to remove employees for poor performance or misconduct recoup bonuses or performance awards from employees when appropriate increase whistleblower protections and reform the appeals process for veteran benefit claims. Over the past several years Congress has passed a number of reform bills to address many of the serious problems throughout the VA system and I will continue to do everything I can to ensure we are upholding our sacred commitment to these men and women who have sacrificed so much for us said Thornberry. You can download video interview footage for news purposes by clicking here.