Press Releases

Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-01) today applauded House passage of legislation to allow for the removal of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees for poor performance or misconduct.

"America’s veterans put everything on the line to protect our freedom and they deserve the best possible care when returning home," said Carter. "However, the VA is not providing the care our veterans deserve. A serious contributing factor to this problem is the inability to hold VA employees accountable for their actions. While there are many hardworking employees at the VA, bad actors should be removed if they are not delivering for our veterans. It is unacceptable to allow this culture to continue at the VA, and this legislation takes important steps to ensure the dedicated employees at the VA are able to do their important work while getting those with other intentions out of the way."

The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protections Act was passed in the House today with Carter's support and now heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.

Specifically, the legislation:

• Creates a new streamlined process to remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct while protecting due process rights;
• Expands protections for whistleblowers;
• Provides the Secretary with the authority to reduce an employee's federal pension if they are convicted of a felony that influenced their job at the VA and recoup a bonus provided to an employee who engaged in misconduct prior to receiving the bonus.