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U.S. Representative John Boehner
Fix the VA
Backlog Once and For All
The brave men and women who have put their lives on the line for our
country shouldn’t face a bureaucratic nightmare to get the benefits
they have so rightfully earned.
And when senior leaders in the Veterans Administration fail those who
have put their lives on the line for our country, they deserve a pink
slip – not a bonus.
So imagine my disbelief when I learned that – despite the persistent
backlog and other widespread problems identified by the VA’s Inspector
General – the department’s senior executives have received “glowing
performance reviews and cash bonuses of up to $63,000,” according to
the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
This news comes after I’ve repeatedly pressed the administration on the
VA backlog issue.
Last February and April - after hearing from a countless number of
veterans in our local area who were experiencing claims issues at the
regional VA office - I took action and sent letters to the VA Secretary
seeking answers to the VA claims backlog. Then, last July, I was
joined by Members of Congress from the Ohio delegation in a letter to
the Secretary demanding a direct and transparent plan from the VA for
addressing the VA backlog.
But I continue to hear about this backlog from veterans in our area
almost every day. It’s simply unacceptable, and it deserves our
utmost attention.
Even though the House has acted to tackle the backlog, reform won’t get
far if it’s to be carried out by managers who have proven they aren’t
up to the job.
That’s why I’m backing the VA Management Accountability Act (H.R.
4031), a bill introduced by House Republicans that gives the Secretary
of the VA the ability to fire or demote senior executives who are not
fulfilling their responsibilities to our service men and women.
It’s supported by several veterans organizations, including Concerned
Veterans for America and the American Legion.
The logic is simple: at the VA, when you aren’t getting the job done,
you should go.
As I said in a recent speech on the House floor, the individuals at the
VA who have let down our veterans should be held accountable, and we
need to get people in there who can fix this backlog once and for
all. The VA Management Accountability Act is an important step in
keeping the pressure on the VA, and it’s an important step in our
continued effort to ensure this administration fulfills its commitment
to our nation’s veterans. I assure you, we’re not going to let up
until this issue is resolved.
If you are a veteran living in the 8th District, please know that my
office stands ready to assist you with any VA issues you may be
facing. For more information, please visit
www.johnboehner.house.gov or call (937) 339-1524.
Boehner represents Ohio’s 8th District, which includes all of Butler,
Clark, Darke, Miami, and Preble counties, and the southernmost part of
Mercer County. He was first elected to Congress in 1990.
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