Polk Times

Congressman Scott Franklin has reintroduced the Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act, aiming to address a loophole that permits Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees under investigation to resign or retire without any permanent record of misconduct.

"Veterans deserve a VA that holds employees under investigation accountable," said Congressman Franklin. He emphasized that allowing such misconduct to go unrecorded undermines the integrity of the system. The proposed legislation ensures investigations are completed and findings preserved, securing due process and accountability.

Initially introduced in March 2024, the measure mandates the VA Secretary to permanently record findings from any misconduct investigation in an employee's personnel file, even if they leave during an ongoing investigation. It also aims for transparency regarding settlement agreements and quiet resignations.

The need for reform is supported by past incidents. In 2016, the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) discovered that 96% of reviewed VA settlements omitted proposed disciplinary actions from records. Out of over 200 cases reviewed, 72% involved financial payouts totaling more than $5 million.

In 2023, new allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct were brought forward by whistleblowers who lacked confidence in the VA’s internal processes. Despite HVAC's formal request for information from VA leadership in late September, significant action was delayed for over a month. Some implicated employees resigned or were reassigned without clear documentation of investigative outcomes, highlighting the gap this bill intends to address.

Rep. Franklin testified on this bill at an HVAC hearing during its initial introduction in March 2024, stressing how current practices erode trust and fail veterans.

The Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act is part of Rep. Franklin’s broader initiative to enhance transparency, protect whistleblowers, and ensure the VA meets standards deserving of veterans.