Huelskamp: Time to Reward, Not Punish VA Whistleblowers

Statement

Today Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) announced the introduction of his legislation to reward, not punish whistleblowers employed at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). His bill, the Whistleblowing Testimony Travel Act, would protect brave VA employees who decide to testify to Congress about the truth of the VA's culture of corruption and unaccountability.

Huelskamp has worked closely with VA whistleblowers, including meeting with them in his office, to learn about the culture of corruption and unaccountability. This cooperation with VA employees to expose the mistreatment of our Veterans is critical to making the VA a place where Veterans' needs come first. Whistleblowers were front and center in exposing the deadly waiting lists at the Phoenix VA and elsewhere and have been a critical source of behind-the-scenes information in the VA.

"One of the primary ways I have helped uncover and expose failures at the VA is through the testimony of these brave employees who risk much to tell the truth. And right now, the VA considers whistleblowing to be a vacation.

"I was outraged to find out that the VA would require a whistleblower -- who might be testifying about his or her boss -- to get permission from the boss to testify before Congress -- and then must use their own personal vacation time to do so. This is outrageous! And this is why I'm sponsoring the Whistleblowing Testimony Travel Act.

"It's an insult to our honest, hardworking VA employees who just want to help our Veterans to force them to use up personal benefits like vacation time. It's even worse that they have to get permission from their boss to do so. If VA leaders are as committed to helping Veterans as they say, it's time to reward and promote whistleblowing -- instead of penalizing these brave employees and their families."

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