Staff Reports
Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL) has thrown down the gauntlet at the Department of Veterans Affairs, demanding they come clean about staff misbehavior. Like a cowboy in the Wild West, he’s lassoing up some accountability with his new bill. This bold move, introduced on Wednesday, puts the heat on the VA to not let any shifty business slide under the radar when employees head for the exit.
#EXCLUSIVE — Republican @RepFranklin seeks crackdown on VA staffers accused of misconduct https://t.co/eJNbvfIHz3 https://t.co/eJNbvfIHz3
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 20, 2024
Franklin’s bill packs a punch, requiring the VA secretary to spill the beans about any fishy business surrounding departing employees. No more brushing things under the rug with cozy settlement agreements. Franklin’s not having it. He’s saying, “No way, Jose!” to letting VA employees mosey on out the door without their misconduct going on the record.
In a statement, Franklin made his feelings crystal clear: “VA staff can’t just skip out the back door with a sly settlement and hope no one notices their shenanigans. That’s not how we do things around here! It’s time to hold their feet to the fire and shine a big ol’ spotlight on their tomfoolery.”
The genesis of Franklin’s crusade? Reports started swirling about alleged misconduct, including some nasty accusations of sexual harassment. It was like a cat was let out of the bag, and lawmakers were fuming mad. Whistleblowers blew the lid off the whole shebang, revealing doubts about the VA’s internal investigations. The House Veterans Affairs Committee wasn’t having any of it, and they shot off a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, demanding the dirt be dished up.
But wait, there’s more! Franklin dropped a bombshell about the VA pulling a fast one and shuffling around the miscreants on November 13. Like a game of musical chairs, the very folks who had their hands (and maybe more) in the cookie jar suddenly decided it was time to retire or kick rocks.
This isn’t the first rodeo for the VA and its shady shenanigans. Franklin pointed to a prior tussle in 2016 where sneaky settlements smacked of a recurring problem. These weren’t just your run-of-the-mill settlements either. Employees were cashing out like bandits, pocketing an average of $24,000 each. Talk about a golden handshake!
Franklin’s got a bone to pick with the VA and their crafty ways. His bill aims to slam the brakes on this tomfoolery once and for all. He’s not backing down without a fight. It’s time to crack the whip and hold these VA rascals accountable. We’ll have to wait and see if his fellow lawmakers join him in bringing the bill to the House Veterans Affairs Committee for a showdown. Watch out, VA, the GOP is bringing the heat!
