[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REINVENTING VA'S EEO SYSTEM

  Title 1 of the compromise agreement will establish a new employment 
discrimination complaint system for the VA. This provision ensures that 
the employees who perform equal employment and opportunity (EEO) 
counseling and investigations are professional and independent by 
creating a new office to adjudicate complaints, separate from line 
management.
  The Committee has had grave concerns about how VA has handled several 
high profile EEO complaints filed against senior staff members. 
Therefore, this bill also provides for VA to submit a separate report 
regarding complaints filed against senior level employees, based on 
their personal conduct. I believe it is critical that VA's actions be 
subject to congressional scrutiny, in order to assure accountability.
  I want to thank Senator Graham for his leadership on this important 
issue.

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