WASHINGTON D.C. –Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement today after the House passed two bipartisan, pro-veterans pieces of legislation: H.R. 294, the Long-Term Care Veteran Choice Act, and H.R. 280, which authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recoup bonuses and awards paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Two weeks ago, I had the honor of speaking with World War II veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, and Spokane hero, Bud Garvin, who recently celebrated his 100^th birthday. I’m proud to support legislation to help veterans like Bud access quality care – including access to medical foster homes. We must continue to hold the VA accountable in order to create a 21^st-century agency that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the brave men and women who have served our nation so honorably. We need to put the needs of those who have served first – because the wellbeing of veterans must always be the priority.”

The Long-Term Care Veteran Choice Actauthorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer a veteran that the Secretary is required to provide nursing home care to a medical foster home that meets VA standards.

H.R. 280 gives the Department of Veterans Affairs secretary the authority to recoup for cause bonuses paid to VA employees. The legislation is also intended to eliminate confusion among VA officials who have made contradictory statements about theDepartment’s authority to recoup bonuses.