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Veterans Committee Examines Rice-Amata Bill to Strengthen VA Oversight

March 11, 2020

Washington, D.C.—Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming this week's examination in the Veterans' Affairs Committee of a bipartisan bill to strengthen oversight at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which was introduced in February by Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY) and Rep. Aumua Amata (R-American Samoa).

The Committee heard testimony from the VA and the office of the Inspector General on The Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2020 (H.R. 5843). The bill would strengthen oversight by providing the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) with testimonial subpoena authority. The addition of testimonial subpoena authority will increase the ability of the VA Inspector General to conduct complete and thorough investigations.

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Veterans Committee Examined Amata's VA Oversight Bill

The Veterans' Affairs Committee examined Amata's Bill on VA Oversight

"Ultimately, this helps the VA better serve those who have served our country," said Rep. Amata, Vice Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "The Inspector General conducts necessary investigations that ensure services are carried out as designed, or that resources go where Congress intended. That's good for veterans. Thank you especially to Rep. Kathleen Rice for her leadership on this legislation, and the considerable bipartisan support for this practical effort."

The bill would reduce limits on the Inspector General – currently Michael Missal – and permit use of the subpoena to gather information from former VA employees, former contractor personnel, and other potentially relevant individuals, during VA Inspector General investigations. By granting this authority, Congress can give the VA Inspector General more tools to protect America's veterans and help ensure the VA is operating more effectively.

Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jon Tester (D-MT) are leading companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Issues:Veterans