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Graves, Tom
Contact: Garrett Hawkins 202.225.5211


Tom Graves Votes for VA to Clean House, Give Veterans More Power

Washington, Sep 14 -

Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) today voted for and the House passed the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act (H.R. 5620), which increases accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and reforms its disability benefits appeals process.  

“When our men and women in uniform leave the service, our nation must never forget its sacred obligation to care for them,” said Rep. Graves. “Our veterans deserve the best possible care and services we can provide, and this legislation helps ensure that happens. The administration can start by cleaning house at the VA. Get the bad apples out and let the good employees do their jobs. The next step is to give veterans more power to appeal denied claims. So many veterans have been wronged by the process - they deserve more opportunities to secure the benefits they earned.”

Specifically, H.R. 5620 increases accountability by making it easier for the VA Secretary to punish or fire bad employees. It also improves whistleblower protections so employees who witness misconduct can report it without fearing retaliation.

Additionally, H.R. 5620 reforms the outdated disability benefits appeals process, giving veterans wrongfully denied disability benefits more avenues to secure the benefits they earned.

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