Hill Votes for Arkansas Veterans, Supports VA Whistleblower Protections
Washington, DC,
October 12, 2017
Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting a bill to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies: “Central Arkansas is home to many of our nation’s brave veterans – and like all veterans, they have earned the right to have a VA that is free of waste, fraud, and abuse and that allows staff to speak up without fear if they see something that is wrong. I am proud of the House’s vote today in honor of Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick, who took his own life after being fired for questioning excessive prescription practices at a VA facility in Wisconsin. This continues the House’s effort to insist on greater accountability across the executive branch. I am glad that those who share Dr. Kirkpatrick’s passion for helping our veterans will be free from fear of reprisal.” Background: The Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act, S. 585, provides additional protections to federal employees who are retaliated against for disclosing waste, fraud, and abuse. The legislation increases awareness of federal whistleblower protections, increases accountability at government agencies, and requires discipline for supervisors who retaliate against whistleblowers. |
