Government Healthcare Policy, Business and Technology

White House Won't Veto Bill Making It Easier to Fire All VA Workers

Government Executive: The White House called provisions in a House bill that would make it easier to fire and demote all employees at the Veterans Affairs Department “misguided and burdensome” but stopped short of saying President Obama should veto the legislation if it reaches him.

The House on Tuesday begins consideration of a major accountability bill aimed at the VA workforce, with a final vote planned later this week. The legislation would change the disciplinary process for VA employees and top career officials at the department, essentially by reducing the time allotted for it to play out. The measure also would give the secretary clear authority to rescind bonuses, retirement benefits and relocation expenses from employees under certain circumstances, and would prohibit all VA senior executives from receiving awards or bonuses from fiscal 2017 through 2021.

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