Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act

Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz for prioritizing bipartisanship and putting our veterans ahead of politics. This committee's work is a testament to what we can achieve here in Congress when we put aside politics and focus on results.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act requires the VA to submit a report to Congress at the end of each fiscal year listing the bonuses that were awarded to senior-level executives within the department.

In 2015, VA employees received more than $177 million in bonuses, which was 24 percent more than they had received in 2014. The average bonus for a senior executive was $10,000.

I have no doubt that the men and women of the VA serve our veterans admirably each day. In fact, I know that they do. In my own district, I have spoken with veterans who are grateful for the compassionate care they receive from the VA hospital in Syracuse as well as local VA clinics in Binghamton and Rome.

VA employees should be fairly compensated for their work and awarded for their achievements in service to our Nation's veterans.

It is also clear to me that there is more work to be done. Just recently, an audit of several VA facilities in

North Carolina and Virginia revealed that wait times continue to be misrepresented and that nearly 14,000 veterans were denied access to timely care. The audit also found that veterans were waiting an average of 26 days to see mental health specialists, while the VA falsely reported average wait times of 6 days.

In light of such news, the American people are right to wonder who at the VA may be receiving a bonus this year. They are also right to be concerned about the nature and conditions of such bonuses.

H.R. 1690 would add a simple reporting requirement to existing law that will streamline the oversight of bonuses at the VA. It requires the agency to proactively provide information to Congress that details the amount of each bonus awarded to senior executives as well as the job titles of the individuals and the location of their employment.

Because of the patterns of mismanagement at the VA, veterans must know how bonuses are being awarded at the agency, and Congress deserves to receive this information in as timely a manner as possible without having to request it each year. This bill increases transparency over the bonus process without placing an undue burden on the agency.

It is an honor to represent a district that is home to more than 55,000 veterans. I owe it to each of them every day to make sure that the VA is accountable and transparent. Our Nation's veterans deserve the very best healthcare for their service and sacrifice to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Roe and Ranking Member Walz for their support, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1690.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2006, the VA Procurement Efficiency and Transparency Act.

This legislation will require VA to record any costs or savings it incurs as a result of using competitive procedures. The reporting requirement is limited to contracts reported in the Federal procurement data system and will ensure increased transparency in the VA.

It also requires VA to use standardized contracting templates throughout the entire VA. This will create an efficient system for VA contracting officers so they are not wasting man-hours developing multiple documents to award VA contracts.

Anyone who has been a Member of Congress and has dealt with VA contracts knows how difficult, confusing, and just, quite honestly, frustrating this is. So having standardized forms will improve oversight of these contracts so that all VA employees and contractors follow the same requirements for the same type of contract.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this smart legislation, efficiency in government, and help provide care in a more timely manner.

Mr. Speaker, I urge its support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I was in the Lutheran hymnal and not the Baptist. I apologize to the gentlewoman, and the next time I ask my 10-year-old to not be on his phone, I will be duly chastised.

Mr. Speaker, I do rise in support of H.R. 1690. The gentlewoman is right. It is smart. The public demands transparency. Make sure that there is an accountability in this, and make sure that we are tracking.

So I thank the gentlewoman for her tolerance of us getting ahead of ourselves.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation also, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1690) to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report regarding performance awards and bonuses awarded to certain high-level employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1690, as amended, the Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act.

This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on the performance awards and bonuses presented to Senior Executive Service employees, SES employees.

I believe that, if you do excellent work, you should receive a bonus. I also believe such a bonus should be justified and that there should be some level of transparency regarding those who receive a bonus.

Mr. Speaker, I support Congresswoman Tenney's bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney) who is the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, sometimes we sing from the same song sheet, and sometimes we don't sing from the same song sheet.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.