Bill Johnson Introduces the POW Accountability Act

Statement

Earlier this week, Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta) introduced H.R. 5172, the POW Accountability Act. This legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to compare their POW/MIA lists to the Department of Defense's (DOD) POW/MIA lists in order to more accurately determine status and benefits.

"I've heard from former POWs and POW organizations that the VA's POW/MIA lists don't match up to the DOD's POW/MIA lists. Because of this, there's reason to believe that the VA may not be awarding POW benefits correctly," Bill Johnson said.

"The purpose of this common sense legislation is to determine how the VA is making their determinations as to who should receive POW benefits, and to ensure that the VA is following their own guidelines. My legislation would require that the VA Office of the Inspector General file an official report that will help indicate why the VA and DOD's POW/MIA lists aren't uniform, and whether the VA is giving POW status and benefits to those who should not be receiving them. Our veterans should be taken care of, and our POW's deserve our utmost commitment and attention for their service. This legislation ensures greater accountability at the VA."

Source