U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05), a veteran of the Kentucky and North Carolina National Guard, voted for legislation to ensure fellow veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces receive the best possible care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Subsequently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the VA Accountability Act of 2015 (H.R. 1994) on Wednesday afternoon. The bill empowers the Secretary of the VA to remove incompetent employees, improves protections for whistleblowers, and strengthens performance measures for senior employees. 

"It's time to bring the focus back to quality veterans care, and we can only do that through a reliable management system with leaders in place who care more about reducing the backlog of veterans benefits than an employee's next bonus," said Rogers. "The VA isn't exempt from accountability, transparency or efficiency and this bill will hold employees to those standards for the sake of our veterans."

The VA Accountability Act of 2015 will also extend the probationary period for new VA employees from 12 to 18 months, limits the amount VA can pay in bonuses through the year 2024, and requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on VA labor union activity.

Rogers authored the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 that became law last August. It made a number of improvements to programs and policies of the Veterans Health Administration within the VA to increase access and reduce wait times for veterans who seek care at VA facilities. The law established the Veterans Choice Program that would allow the VA to authorize care for veterans outside the VA health care system if certain conditions are met. 

Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information, visit http://halrogers.house.gov/ or follow Rogers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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