Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has collaborated with Senator Jerry Moran and Representative Mike Bost to introduce the Restore VA Accountability Act. This legislation aims to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs' ability to hold underperforming employees accountable.

Senator Rick Scott stated, "Our veterans have put everything on the line and deserve the best care possible. I am proud to join my colleagues on the Restore VA Accountability Act to make the VA more efficient and accountable, and raise the standard of life-saving health care."

Senator Jerry Moran commented, "While VA employs some of the finest men and women, it only takes a few bad employees to disrupt the culture and service at the VA. Veterans are best served when VA leaders have the ability to act swiftly to remove bad employees from the VA workforce."

Representative Mike Bost noted, "Over the past two years, we uncovered scandal after scandal of bad middle managers or employees at VA committing wrongdoing... The intent of Chairman Moran and I’s bill, the Restore VA Accountability Act, is to hold that 1% of bad VA employees accountable."

The bill is cosponsored by several senators including Tommy Tuberville, Bill Cassidy, Marsha Blackburn, Jim Banks, John Boozman, Tim Sheehy, Kevin Cramer, Thom Tillis, Pete Ricketts, James Risch, and Lindsey Graham.

Senator Tommy Tuberville remarked on veterans' care: "Taking care of our veterans is a sacred duty... This legislation restores the VA Accountability Act to its full strength by cutting bureaucratic red tape."

In 2017, Congress passed a similar act in response to issues within the VA workforce. The new legislation seeks to address decisions that weakened previous accountability measures.

Various organizations expressed support for this legislative effort. Pat Murray from The Veterans of Foreign Wars said they appreciate efforts by Congress "to ensure accountability remains paramount at VA." Jim Lorraine from America’s Warrior Partnership highlighted that trust in the VA requires accountability for actions.

John Byrnes from Concerned Veterans for America urged swift congressional action on this matter: "Passing the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 is a crucial step... CVA urges Congress to act swiftly and support this accountability legislation; it is a matter of saving veterans’ lives."

This bipartisan initiative reflects ongoing efforts in Congress aimed at improving services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.