Washington, D.C. (Sept. 14, 2016) – House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after the House passed theVA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act (H.R. 5620). The bill strengthens whistleblower protections, reforms the Department’s disability benefits appeals process, and provides additional authority to the Secretary to reprimand employees for performance or misconduct.

“Many of the veterans I spoke with recently at town halls around Eastern Washington told me ‘heads should roll’ at the VA,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “I agree that it should not be hard to fire VA employees who break the rules or do a terrible job. I am proud to say the People’s House today passed the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act (H.R. 5620), which strengthens whistleblower protections, reforms the Department’s disability benefits appeals process, and provides additional authority to the Secretary to reprimand employees for performance or misconduct. To our veterans, their families, and concerned Americans across this country, these reforms are common sense and long overdue.”