(U.S. Senate) – The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed Senator Jon Tester’s major bipartisan reform bill to bring accountability to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA).

Tester’s bill, which is co-sponsored by Chairman Johnny Isakson and Senator Marco Rubio, brings much-needed reforms to the VA by streamlining the process for reviewing and firing bad employees while protecting whistleblowers.

“This bill will crack down on bad employees who jeopardize veterans’ health care while also protecting the hardworking folks who dedicate their careers to those who served,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “I urge the House of Representatives to quickly take up and pass this critical legislation to make sure that the VA can provide the best possible care and benefits for veterans.”  

Tester’s VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act will:  

• Allow the VA to more quickly fire bad employees without sacrificing due process rights.
• Strengthen protections for whistleblowers.
• Improve VA leadership through training and incentivizing managers to address poor performance.
• Expedite the process for hiring VA Medical Center Directors.

Tester’s bill has broad support from veterans, advocates, other members of Congress and leaders at the VA. 

The legislation recently cleared a key hurdle after passing out of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee with bipartisan support. It will now be considered by the House of Representatives.

A summary of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act can be found online HERE.