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house Bill H.R. 1994

Should It Be Easier For the VA to Fire Corrupt Or Incompetent Employees?

Argument in favor

The VA needs to be able to fire, demote, or otherwise punish employees that perform poorly in their jobs. Why should incompetent federal employees keep their jobs when their private sector counterparts would be fired?

crq's Opinion
···
07/29/2015
For too long we have seen our Men & Women in uniform put in the most extreme circumstances within the VA & other Veteran associated venues...these people have fought, died, lost limbs, etc. When are we as a Nation going to thank them with excellent care? Help them in caring ways as a grateful nation should? Why? Why do we slap them in the face after they have given limbs, mental stability, sleepless nights, etc. for the cause of war? My God, are we really that selfish? Or are we just inhumane? I pray that it's just that we are stupid ignorant creatures... We must show thanks to these Men & Women that cannot be with their families, they have left their children &/or their families to fight and often die...give them the thanks they require, if nothing else than common human decency...
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BTSundra's Opinion
···
01/14/2016
They shouldn't just be able to fire incompetent employees, we should fire EVERY incompetent government employee.
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Judith's Opinion
···
07/29/2015
There should be performance reviews and action should be taken when there is poor performance, just as in any other organization!
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Argument opposed

All federal agencies should have flexibility should have more flexibility to fire incompetent employees — not just the VA. It's unfair to single out federal workers from one troubled agency rather than reforming the entire bureaucracy.

AutumnStarlight's Opinion
···
07/29/2015
This is a scam to chip away at workers' rights, backed by Concerned Veterans of America, a Koch-funded front group bent on privatizing vets' healthcare. It won't fix incompetence or corruption in the VA. Rather, it makes low-level employees at-will employees who can be fired at will by corrupt and incompetent employers, just like in Right-to-Work (for Peanuts) states. There's also a $2.5 billion VA budget shortfall that it doesn't mention, let alone fix.
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Jewel's Opinion
···
07/29/2015
Have the same standards for all Federal employees, including members of Congress, and I will enthusiastically support it.
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Laylah51's Opinion
···
07/29/2015
Here is what it is REALLY all about: "The Koch Brothers are About to Destroy Veterans' Health Care and No One Knows About It" http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/28/1406562/-The-Koch-Brothers-are-About-to-Destroy-Veterans-Health-Care-and-No-One-Knows-About-It Further down in the article you will see that Takano and Blumenthal have better ideas for doing what needs to be done.
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bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Veterans' Affairs
  • The house Passed July 29th, 2015
    Roll Call Vote 256 Yea / 170 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Oversight and Reform
      Economic Opportunity
      Committee on Veterans' Affairs
    IntroducedApril 23rd, 2015
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!

Bill Activity

  • action
    Introduced in House
  • referral
    Referred to House Veterans' Affairs
  • referral
    Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • referral
    Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
  • referral
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
  • action
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.
  • action
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  • action
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote .
  • action
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  • calendar
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • action
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-225, Part I.
  • action
    Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
  • calendar
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 170.
  • action
    Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, H. Rept. 114-225, Part II.
  • action
    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 388 Reported to House. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. All points of order against consideration of the bills are waived. For H.R. 1994, The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. No amendment will be in order except those printed in the report accompanying the resolution .
  • action
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 388.
  • action
    Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. All points of order against consideration of the bills are waived. For H.R. 1994, The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. No amendment will be in order except those printed in the report accompanying the resolution .
  • action
    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 388 and Rule XVIII.
  • action
    The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Fortenberry to act as Chairman of the Committee.
  • action
    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1994.
  • action
    The Committee rose informally to recieve a message from the President.
  • action
    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole resumed its sitting.
  • action
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 388, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Benishek amendment No. 1.
  • action
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 388, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment in the nature of a substitute No. 2.
  • action
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano amendment in the nature of a substitute the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
  • action
    Mr. Miller (FL) moved that the Committee rise.
  • action
    On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
  • action
    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1994 as unfinished business.
  • action
    Considered as unfinished business.
  • action
    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
  • action
    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of an amendment which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
  • action
    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1994.
  • action
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  • action
    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
  • action
    Mr. Takano moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  • action
    Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs may not remove or demote an individual that has filed a whistleblower complaint or sought corrective action from the Office of Special Counsel or the Inspector General regarding a threat to the health or safety of the public or regarding a prohibited personnel practice.
  • action
    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
  • action
    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 184 - 241 (Roll no. 488).
  • vote
    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 256 - 170 (Roll no. 489).
  • action
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • referral
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Committee on Veterans' Affairs
  • The house Passed July 29th, 2015
    Roll Call Vote 256 Yea / 170 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Oversight and Reform
      Economic Opportunity
      Committee on Veterans' Affairs
    IntroducedApril 23rd, 2015
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    crq's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    For too long we have seen our Men & Women in uniform put in the most extreme circumstances within the VA & other Veteran associated venues...these people have fought, died, lost limbs, etc. When are we as a Nation going to thank them with excellent care? Help them in caring ways as a grateful nation should? Why? Why do we slap them in the face after they have given limbs, mental stability, sleepless nights, etc. for the cause of war? My God, are we really that selfish? Or are we just inhumane? I pray that it's just that we are stupid ignorant creatures... We must show thanks to these Men & Women that cannot be with their families, they have left their children &/or their families to fight and often die...give them the thanks they require, if nothing else than common human decency...
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    AutumnStarlight's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/29/2015
    This is a scam to chip away at workers' rights, backed by Concerned Veterans of America, a Koch-funded front group bent on privatizing vets' healthcare. It won't fix incompetence or corruption in the VA. Rather, it makes low-level employees at-will employees who can be fired at will by corrupt and incompetent employers, just like in Right-to-Work (for Peanuts) states. There's also a $2.5 billion VA budget shortfall that it doesn't mention, let alone fix.
    Like (6)
    Follow
    Share
    BTSundra's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/14/2016
    They shouldn't just be able to fire incompetent employees, we should fire EVERY incompetent government employee.
    Like (7)
    Follow
    Share
    Judith's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    There should be performance reviews and action should be taken when there is poor performance, just as in any other organization!
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    Jewel's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Have the same standards for all Federal employees, including members of Congress, and I will enthusiastically support it.
    Like (5)
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    Ryan's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/31/2015
    YES IT SHOULD. The corruption has gone on for decades. Get rid of the money sucking, derelict employees, no matter what their position.
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    Laylah51's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Here is what it is REALLY all about: "The Koch Brothers are About to Destroy Veterans' Health Care and No One Knows About It" http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/28/1406562/-The-Koch-Brothers-are-About-to-Destroy-Veterans-Health-Care-and-No-One-Knows-About-It Further down in the article you will see that Takano and Blumenthal have better ideas for doing what needs to be done.
    Like (3)
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    SouthernGal's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/30/2015
    This is a Koch plan to destroy Veterans care.
    Like (3)
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    Cary's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/23/2016
    Um, yes. Silly question.
    Like (3)
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    DeanLA's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/14/2017
    Reduce costs and hold them accountable. This should be federal government policy.
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    Jinger's Opinion Against
    ···
    08/09/2015
    This has variables as I have personally experienced this. Fire all those that are incompetent; however, reality is this > when an employee whistleblows against policy, the employee is fired or "laid off" and this is very sad and it has happened and not one state entity has listened or wanted to get involved with whistleblowing. These are laws that need to be revamped on the books!
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    Tim's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/20/2016
    Yes, unless it is being done for political purposes.
    Like (2)
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    James's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Of course! The VA has more than adequately demonstrated that it is top heavy with incompetent workers. No private health care provider would ever tolerate so many useless employees. The veterans suffer from the bureaucratic bloat as the incompetents suck off money that shoulder
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    Curmudgeon's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Is this even to be questioned? What organization in society would be justified in harboring incompetents let alone the corrupt? If the latter characterization applies they should be locked out of their workplace by 4 PM. For the merely incompetent there should be outplacement concurrent with termination.
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    Wx5jcp's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    I don't care about the rights of VA workers. This law should apply to all federal agencies.
    Like (2)
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    Kim's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Absolutely. To wait months if not years for justifiable termination is ludicrous. Stop the bleeding.
    Like (2)
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    Tristan's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    The VA is currently in extremely bad shape. The VA needs to step up its game, any employee who isn't willing to work hard to help these veterans doesn't deserve the job.
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    David's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/29/2015
    There is a procedure in place for terminating employees that applies to all employees. If Congress wants to make changes, while still retaining collective bargaining rights of employees, they should do so. Singling out the VA is a poor policy approach.
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    Robert's Opinion Against
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Stuff like this will cause a witch hunt.
    Like (1)
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    Hameltor's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    07/29/2015
    Why would we want incompetent and corrupt people working with some of our most vulnerable members of society?
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