THE DAILY GRIND – SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2016: CONGRESSMAN HARDY VOTES TO PASS THE VA ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST AND APPEALS MODERNIZATION ACT

CONGRESSMAN HARDY VOTES TO PASS THE VA ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST AND APPEALS MODERNIZATION ACT

September 15, 2015

WASHINGTON – United States Representative Cresent Hardy (R-NV) today released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act:

“ Our Veterans risked their lives to defend our freedom. They’ve earned every single benefit that’s been promised to them and we ought to keep those promises. While it’s a shame this bill is necessary, the infuriating stories we here of Veterans languishing on waiting lists leave us no choice but to address incompetence and malfeasance at the VA head on. Failure to deliver care wouldn’t be acceptable in any other hospital in the country and it shouldn’t be accepted at the VA.”

Background on H.R. 5620, the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act:

·      Authorizes the Secretary to fire or demote any VA employee for performance or misconduct.

·      Authorizes the Secretary of the VA to reduce VA Senior Executive Service (SES) pension if they are convicted of a felony that influenced their job performance.

·      Gives the Secretary of the VA authority to recoup any bonus or award paid to VA employees if the Secretary deems it necessary and appropriate.

·      Enhances protections for whistleblowers

·      Reforms the appeals process by giving veterans different options to pursue their appeal.

H.R. 5620 passed the House by a vote of 310-116.

Congressman Cresent Hardy represents Nevada’s 4^th Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Small Business Committee.