Press Releases

Today, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after VA Secretary David Shulkin announced the delayed firing of a VA employee in Houston who was caught watching pornography while treating a veteran patient:

"The time for talking about accountability is over. This situation underscores the need for Congress to get VA accountability legislation to President Trump's desk, and I thank Secretary Shulkin for making this a top priority. I was proud my bill, the VA Accountability First Act of 2017, passed the House with bipartisan support earlier this month. Veterans deserve better. I encourage my Senate colleagues to consider my legislation, and I look forward to working with Secretary Shulkin to change the way VA does business."

Background:

This is the third time in the past two years that the House has passed legislation to provide the Secretary with the tools he needs to discipline or fire VA employees who fail in their duty to serve veterans. On March 16, 2017, the House passed Chairman Roe's bill, the VA Accountability First Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation will give Secretary Shulkin the authority to expeditiously fire poor-performing employees. The bill was widely supported by multiple Veterans Service Organizations. Chairman Roe penned this op-ed on the legislation. Learn more at republicans-veterans.house.gov/accountability.