WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 23, 2017) – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after the President signed the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, bipartisan legislation that reforms the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by allowing the Secretary to dismiss poorly-performing employees and those who engage in misconduct while ensuring appropriate due process protections for whistleblowers.

“Today is about restoring accountability at the VA,” said McMorris Rodgers. “Our veterans deserve the red carpet rolled out for them, but over the years the VA has lost sight of its mission to put our veterans first. This law helps change the culture at the VA. Thank you to President Trump, House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Roe, and our Senate partners for your commitment to ensuring the VA treats our veterans like heroes.”

NOTE: Last week, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers led a House Republican Leadership press conference about the need for VA reform. Click here to view her remarks.

After the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act passed the House last week, Chair McMorris Rodgers led a press conference with veteran service organizations and key members of the House who helped move this legislation over the finish line.

Watch her remarks here:

Since hearing of the extensive wait times and tragic deaths at the VA, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers has been a vocal champion for America’s veterans. She challenged then-Secretary McDonald when he compared VA wait times to waiting in line at Disney Land, saying “when you go to Disney you aren’t wondering if you’re going to live long enough to make it to Space Mountain.” She and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) introduced the Faster Care for Veterans Act,  which was signed into law in December, to introduce off-the-shelf self-scheduling technology to the VA. And in a Washington Post op-ed, she outlined her vision for a 21st Century VA.
 

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