A bill going to President Trump will make it easier to fire employees at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
- Bill makes it easier to displine or fire VA employees
- Accountability bill also includes whistleblower protections
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The House passed the bipartisan bill on a 368-55 vote.
The Senate passed the measure last week. That bill was sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson and Sen. Marco Rubio, both of Florida.
"The brave men and women who have served our country deserve the very best care our nation can give them," Nelson said before it passed the Senate. "This bipartisan bill will help improve the quality of care our veterans receive by reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs."
"We’ve been working hard on this for years," Rubio said last week. "Today is a great day. I can’t wait to get it to the president’s desk."
The bill lowers the burden of proof needed to discipline or fire employees. The current appeals process for such actions can currently last years.
The VA secretary can also revoke bonuses from underperforming staffers and, in some cases, reduce pensions of executive-level employees who are disciplined.
Trump supports the legislation.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.