WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), chaired the 119th Congress’ first hearing for the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, during which she examined the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to hold bad Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees accountable. Today’s hearing follows numerous investigations last Congress into allegations of sexual harassment, misconduct, patient safety concerns, employee concerns, and other allegations that have directly impacted veterans’ care at the VA. As the Chairwoman of this subcommittee and a Navy veteran who represents one of the most veteran-heavy districts in the country, Congresswoman Kiggans is committed to holding the VA accountable to its mission of providing world-class care for our veterans.
The full subcommittee hearing can be found here, and Congresswoman Kiggans’ full opening remarks can be found below.
Opening remarks from the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations’ Chairwoman Jen Kiggans:
Good morning everyone, the Subcommittee will come to order.
I would like to welcome everyone to the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the 119th Congress.
While not new to the Committee, all our members, other than myself, are new to the Subcommittee.
I am confident that we will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to hold VA to its mission of providing world-class care for our veterans.
Additionally, I would like to congratulate Mr. Doug Collins on his confirmation to serve as VA Secretary.
I look forward to working with him this Congress.
Last Congress, we uncovered countless instances where VA failed to hold bad employees accountable and ultimately let down veterans.
Time after time, career government employees were protected at the expense of veterans.
Protecting bad employees from the consequences of failing the veterans they serve is unacceptable, especially at the cost of the taxpayer’s dollar.
Veterans should always be at the forefront of VA’s mind when they make decisions.
Unfortunately, too many times bureaucracy is put first and veterans come in second.
I do believe that 99% of VA employees are dedicated and hardworking public servants that in many cases want to serve their fellow veterans, while still working in a productive, accountable workplace.
But over the past few years, whistleblowers continue to describe situations where VA leaders faced little discipline, despite investigations substantiating the allegations against them.
It takes an incredible amount of strength and fortitude to come forward to blow the whistle on wrongdoing in VA.
I want to take a moment to thank the whistleblowers who have courageously come forward to VA and to Congress to bring attention to these problems.
Your bravery is one of the reasons we are able to do our oversight work in Congress.
In Buffalo, one veteran with cancer did not receive care for ten weeks because the leadership at the facility failed to connect him with the care he needed.
This Committee sent multiple questions regarding ongoing investigations or disciplinary actions for this failure in care and our questions went unanswered.
In my own district, the poor management at the Hampton VA Medical Center caused the facility to be left with one anesthesiologist to serve every patient.
Despite VA taking action, I have heard continued allegations about quality-of-care issues at Hampton.
To date, I still have not received clear indication that VA fully investigated the local leaders at the facility.
As a former provider, these stories are heartbreaking.
Patients deserve better.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated issue.
Even more shocking, there have been instances where VA promoted leaders even after they were found to have engaged in misconduct.
This is why Chairman Bost alongside every Republican on this Committee reintroduced the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025.
This legislation makes clear that bad VA employees need to be held accountable to ensure that the best federal employees are serving veterans.
Congress needs to solidify this good government measure.
This legislation will address many of the concerns and challenges that we will hear from our witnesses during today’s hearing.
As a provider myself, I know that the leaders at local hospitals play a critical role in ensuring patient safety.
They are responsible for creating a positive work environment that allows nurses and doctors to care for the patients they serve – at VA, that is veterans.
If the leaders are not holding themselves to a high standard, then they do not need be in leadership.
It’s that simple.
As someone with experience working with VA and veteran care, I know first-hand the bulk of VA employees do good work and provide safe patient care for our veterans.
This work is valuable to our nation and these employees deserve safe and sanitary working conditions.
The American people have given us a mandate to make sure their government works for them – not poor performing career government employees.
VA is no different.
It should go without saying that veterans have earned a system that serves them well.
I am looking forward to working with the Trump administration to course correct the mistakes from the previous four years.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today about how VA will hold its employees accountable to the mission.
By restoring accountability at VA, we will ensure that VA puts veterans first.
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