Rep. John Carter (R-TX-31) released the following statement in regards to the House passage of HR 1994, the VA Accountability Act of 2015, which Rep. Carter is a co-sponsor. This bill gives the Secretary of Veteran’s Affair the authority to immediately remove any VA employee from their position if they are found to have engaged in misconduct, shortens the amount of time allowed to appeal removal, to end the abuse of the civil service appeals process, and limits the Secretary’s authority to remove or demote an employee if they are a whistleblower.

“I stand committed to ensuring our veterans receive world class care by working to address the shortcomings of the Department of Veterans Affairs. I also support a thorough investigation of past practices at the VA, and know we must have systemic reform in order to provide the best possible care that our Veteran’s so rightly deserve. I believe making the VA accountable for their past and future actions, and allowing more flexibility in personnel practices, will reduce the terrible mistreatment by the VA and lead to a more effective and efficient VA that will benefit our Veterans.”

Rep. Carter represents Texas District 31, which includes Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the free world. He serves as Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, is on the Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice and Science and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. 

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