Van Orden, Chairman Bost, House and Senate Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Restore Accountability at VA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Chairman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), alongside lawmakers in both the House and the Senate, introduced legislation to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) authority to hold poor-performing employees accountable. The Restore VA Accountability Act strengthens accountability by unlocking expedited disciplinary processes for VA employees, ensuring that decisions backed by substantial evidence are upheld on appeal, removing the need for a performance improvement plan before disciplinary action, and aligning accountability processes for poor-performing managers with that of senior executives. 

“The VA is not a jobs program for bureaucrats,” said Rep. Van Orden. “It is an organization built to serve our vets. It is simple – if you are not doing your job, you should not be working at the VA. I am proud to join Chairman Bost on this bill to ensure the VA can finally hold bad actors accountable and keep only those who are truly dedicated to taking care of our veterans.”

“Over the past two years, we uncovered scandal after scandal of bad middle managers or employees at VA committing wrongdoing. But time and time again, we saw these bad VA employees who don’t have veterans’ best interests at heart, just reshuffled to another part of the agency. That has a direct impact on not only veterans, but the mission of VA and the employees who are trying to do their jobs well,” said Chairman Bost. “The intent of Chairman Moran and I’s bill, the Restore VA Accountability Act, is to hold that 1% of bad VA employees accountable. President Trump made this message clear during his first administration, but the Biden-Harris administration and liberal courts refused to act and swept accountability under the rug. We’re going to restore the intent of Congress – and President Trump – by bringing accountability back for good, because America’s veterans deserve to know that the employees who are providing them with the care and services they have earned, are the best and the brightest.” 

“While VA employs some of the finest men and women, it only takes a few bad employees to disrupt the culture and service at the VA,” said Chairman Moran. “Veterans are best served when VA leaders have the ability to act swiftly to remove bad employees from the VA workforce. This bill would restore the intent of Congress and help make certain that veterans receive the high-quality care and benefits they’ve earned and VA staff have the healthy workplace they deserve.”

The Restore VA Accountability Act is cosponsored by 25 members in the House, including the following members whose local VA facilities and veteran communities have suffered due to a lack of accountability measures: 

“Our veterans deserve a VA that works for them and allows them to fully live the lives they risked so bravely for our freedom,” said Oversight & Investigations Chairwoman Kiggans. “I personally led investigations into the unacceptable conditions at our own Hampton Roads VA and know there are other VA facilities that face similar challenges in countless communities across the country. Having served as a healthcare provider in a VA clinic, I know many of the workers at the VA are deeply dedicated professionals, but it is past time to hold bad VA employees accountable so we can ensure our veterans always receive the quality care they deserve. As the daughter of a veteran, wife of a veteran, and having served 10 years in the Navy myself, I will always stand up for our American heroes and fight to hold the VA to the highest standard.” 

“Our veterans deserve the best from the VA. The 2017 Accountability Act, signed by President Trump, was a crucial step in holding bad employees accountable and protecting whistleblowers, but court rulings and the Biden administration’s decisions have weakened its effectiveness,” said Rep. Luttrell. “The Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 will fix these issues, giving VA leaders the tools to quickly address problems and ensure every employee meets the high standards our veterans deserve.  We will put our veterans first and restore trust in the VA.”

“Our veterans put everything on the line when they heroically decide to serve our country. Our responsibility is to ensure they receive the best care when they come home; if that’s not happening, action must be taken. Like most jobs, you can get replaced if you don’t meet expectations. This shouldn’t be any different for VA employees,” said Rep. Harshbarger. “I know how vital accountability is and that it shouldn’t take a mountain of paperwork and endless hearings to get rid of bad actors. This bill allows the VA to take action quickly, and I’m proud to co-sponsor it.”

“As America’s veterans return to civilian life, it is critical that we provide them with the high-quality support and care these men and women have earned,” said Rep. Obernolte. “Dozens of my constituents have bravely came forward as whistleblowers in our investigation of the problems at Loma Linda VAMC, which produced a nearly 4,000-page report detailing the troubling issues that have occurred there. I am proud to partner with House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost to create legislation that will address this disappointing dysfunction. We are confident that the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act will ensure that both veterans and good VA employees are protected. To support our veterans, we need to correct the deficient VA policies exposed by the Loma Linda whistleblowers. By coming forward, these individuals are helping to create a better VA for all of America’s veterans.”

The Restore VA Accountability Act is also supported by the following key stakeholders: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP), Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), The American Legion, Student Veterans of America (SVA), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS)

In the Senate, the bill is cosponsored by Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

The full text of the legislation can be found here.