[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BILL FLORES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2014

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4031, The 
Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014. 
This bill would give the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) complete 
authority to fire or demote senior leaders based on performance.
  This bill originated from an increasing amount of evidence supporting 
a lack of management accountability in the department's efforts to curb 
the disability benefits backlog. Now with the devastating discovery of 
a growing number of preventable deaths at VA medical centers across the 
country, this legislation has become more essential.
  The department is failing to do its primary job, which is to provide 
the best health care and benefit services to our veterans. Sadly, the 
recent reports of mismanagement at VA medical centers only add to the 
growing list of problems that have plagued the VA. It is time that 
underperforming senior leaders are held accountable and punished for 
their poor performance, as opposed to the status quo of ignoring 
mismanagement practices and rewarding misconduct. Our nation's heroes 
deserve better.
  With the passage of H.R. 4031, this bill would allow for the VA 
secretary to cut through the mounds of red tape to discipline and 
remove senior leaders. As an original cosponsor of the bill, I was 
pleased to see the House take action and pass it with an overwhelming 
majority. By giving the secretary the direct authority to reprimand 
leaders it sends a clear message that mismanagement will no longer be 
tolerated.
  The culture at the VA has clearly lost its way and is in need of 
leadership that can bring back the focus towards its core values of 
Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence. These core 
values have been ignored for too long. It is time to put the interests 
of America's veterans ahead of the interests of federal bureaucrats so 
that we keep our promises to the brave men and women who have protected 
so much for our freedom and liberty.

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