Underwood, McKinley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen VA Oversight and Accountability

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and David B. McKinley (WV-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enhance oversight and promote accountability at VA, reducing waste, fraud, and abuse and ensuring veterans receive high-quality care. The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2021 requires VA staff to complete trainings from VA's Inspector General so they are prepared to report wrongdoing and fully participate in whistleblower processes and investigations. The bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

"We need robust oversight at VA to ensure every veteran receives the world-class care and benefits they have earned ," said Underwood. "I'm proud to introduce the bipartisan Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2021 to provide every VA employee with the training they need to report waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensure a culture of accountability at VA."

"There have been far too many preventable tragedies at our VA facilities across the country. Sadly, the Clarksburg VA has experienced some of the worst traumatic evets in recent memory and there is no excuse for what occurred," said McKinley. "We must take action to change the culture of the VA facilities and work to restore confidence in the quality of care given to our deserving Veterans. This bill will ensure VA employees have the tools and training they need to report concerns regarding the quality of care being provided, as well as any suspicions of waste, fraud and abuse that may be occurring at a VA facility."

The bipartisan Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2021 would: 

• Require every current and future Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee to participate in a training from the VA's Inspector General (OIG) about reporting to and cooperating with the VA's OIG. 
• Ensure that the VA's OIG training includes information about: 
  • Mechanisms for reporting fraud, waste, abuse, and other wrongdoing at the VA. 
  • Protections for VA employees who report wrongdoing to the OIG. 
  • Opportunities to strengthen OIG programs, operations, and services to ensure the OIG can provide effective oversight, reduce fraud, and protect taxpayer dollars. 

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