Edwards Statement Opposing The VA Accountability Act Of 2015

Statement

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) today spoke in opposition to H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act of 2015. The main provision of this bill would single-out employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be fired or demoted without due process. It would also force senior executives at the VA into mandatory five-year rotations, causing unnecessary distractions that would impact services. The bill passed the House 256-170. Below is an excerpt from her statement:

"This legislation is nothing more than a last minute attempt by House Republicans to terminate, demoralize and unfairly blame Federal employees, and shrink the government so it can't do anything for the American people. I will work with likeminded Members of Congress who want to do the right thing and provide the right kind of oversight, but this is not the answer and it would destroy VA's merit-based civil service system.

"You know let me just say, this is not about accountability, it's not about whistle blowers, it's not about improving services for our nation's veterans. This bill is nothing more than union busting. Let's just call it what it is, it's union busting and it needs to be stopped. The House Republicans should be ashamed for trying to use VA employees and federal employees for their own political gain."

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