Underwood’s Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Oversight and Promote Accountability at VA Passes the House | Representative Lauren Underwood
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Underwood’s Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Oversight and Promote Accountability at VA Passes the House

May 18, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and David B. McKinley (WV-01)'s bipartisan legislation to strengthen oversight and promote accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The VA Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2021 (H.R. 6052) requires VA staff to complete trainings from VA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) so that they are fully informed on how to report wrongdoing and participate in whistleblower processes and investigations. The bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and John Boozman (R-AR).

"Every dollar spent on oversight initiatives through the OIG at VA yields approximately $21 in returns – and most importantly, these oversight initiatives ensure that every veteran receives the world-class care and benefits they have earned," said Underwood. "I'm pleased that the House passed my VA OIG Training Act, which will empower VA employees to report waste, fraud, and abuse to VA's OIG and promote accountability at VA, and I urge the Senate to pass this bipartisan bill swiftly."

"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 events in recent memory and there is no excuse for what occurred," said McKinley. "This bill takes action to change the culture of the VA facilities and works to restore confidence in the quality of care given to our deserving eterans. 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  VA  employee to  participate  in  a  training from VA's OIG about reporting to and cooperating with the  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.

The House passed three other bills today that are cosponsored by Underwood. The legislation serves the unique needs of women veterans by improving benefits hearings related to military sexual trauma and expanding veterans' access to breast cancer screening and care. The legislation also supports student veterans by enabling VA to restore their full benefits if their school loses its eligibility as part of the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program.

  • H.R. 6961 – Dignity for MST Survivors Act (Mrvan, IN-01)
    • Improves Board of Veterans' Appeals processes and trainings to prevent the re-traumatization of military sexual trauma survivors as they navigate the emotionally fraught claims appeal process.
  • S. 4089 – Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Restoration and Recovery Act of 2022 (Durbin, D-IL)
    • Gives VA the authority to restore important education benefits to veterans who have been ripped off by unaccredited institutions as they pursue post-military education.
  • S. 2533 – Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act (Tester, D-MT)
    • Strengthens and expands access to high-quality breast cancer screenings and life-saving cancer care for veterans nationwide.

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Issues:Veterans