As I’m sure you already know, the VA Office of Inspector General (VAOIG) released two reports earlier this year that found 149 veterans had been harmed by Oracle Cerner’s electronic health record (EHR) system. Their findings only motivated me more to hold the VA accountable for the irreparable harm they have caused Eastern Washington veterans – and to make sure it never happens again.  

That’s why I helped pass the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act in the House of Representatives this week. This bipartisan legislation prevents the VA from starting new major IT projects before submitting to Congress a cost estimate, schedule, and list of performance goals for each project. 

This is a common sense bill that will help Congress conduct thorough oversight of the VA at a time when accountability is lacking. I look forward to seeing it make its way through the Senate and to the president’s desk to be signed into law.