Posted on 05/25/2017 5:06:01 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs cleared a bill Wednesday that would make it much easier for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin to fire bad employees, moving the legislation one step closer to law.
Now that the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 has passed the committee hurdle, it will move to the floor of the Senate for further consideration. It’s not clear exactly when the bill will reach the full chamber, but if the Senate passes the bill, it will be sent to the House for a vote.
The purpose of the bill is to decrease the amount of time it takes to fire bad employees. The legislation also grants Shulkin the authority to take back ill-gotten bonuses provided to employees. He can also reduce the pensions of VA employees who engaged in felonies related to their work.
Employees who are kicked out, moreover, would not receive payment while appealing their terminations.
Veterans’ advocacy and policy organization Concerned Veterans for America applauded SVAC clearing the bill.
“We’re pleased to see that the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act was moved to the Senate floor with no changes and that committee members voted down amendments that would have undermined the intent of the bill,” CVA policy director Dan Caldwell said in a statement. “The Senate will now vote on strong, meaningful reform that will finally give Secretary Shulkin the power he needs to fire bad employees quickly. Senator Isakson should be commended for his hard work getting this measure passed. Veterans are now one step closer to receiving the quality of care they earned and deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs, but the fight isn’t over yet.”
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
Day late and a Dollar short, GWB should have fixed this under his watch. DUMBO hates our Military.
Wasn’t there a judge that basically ruled that it is unconstitutional to fire a VA employee?
Here’s the origin of our federal employee problems, everyone of the alphabet organizations such as VA, IRS, ATF, FBI, GAO, DEA, Secret Service, Justice Dept, on and on. “ Executive Order 10988 is a United States presidential executive order issued by President John F. Kennedy on January 17, 1962 that recognized the right of federal employees to collective bargaining.” It’s my understanding aN EO can be rescinded by another EO. If true, Trump should just do it. And .... Watch’em squeal, lol!
Why just the VA? This should apply to all Federal departments.
Oh, my! What will that miserable gang of criminal miscreants in Congress do now?
Probably the ones that stole the 400k. I dont understand why they aren’t in jail
It’s about time.
GWB could not have fixed this because it takes an act of Congress to fix it. Nor could any other President. All any President could have done is sign once it has passed. The fact Trump is pushing for a VA fix says something, however, he did not drain the VA swamp of its bureaucracy as he promoted an underling to the head position. In my opinion, those currently employed by the VA are the problem and a good lot of them needs to go starting with those who have an attitude of “I am here to serve you so you owe me”. In other words, those who think a government job is an entitlement unto itself.
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