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Congressman Andy Biggs' Statement on House Passage of Landmark Veterans Legislation

June 13, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed landmark legislation to hold Veterans Administration employees accountable for performance or misconduct and to enhance protections for whistleblowers. S. 1094 was passed by the U.S. Senate last week, and approved by the House today. Congressman Biggs released the following statement:

"I was pleased to vote in favor of this historic bill, which sends a strong message to our honored veterans that Congress is looking after their interests. Passage of this law will help ensure that employees at all levels of the Department of Veterans Administration will not be allowed to provide below-average care to American veterans. Our veterans have long paid the price of this severe incompetence. Congress' action provides a clear indication that we will not continue to look the other way, and President Trump and his administration have followed suit. In a few short months, the culture of the Veterans Administration has drastically improved.

"There is still much work to be done, and I am committed to leading more than just legislative efforts to assist our veterans. In January, I led a letter with Congresswoman Sinema and the rest of the Arizona Congressional delegation to urge VA Secretary Shulkin to grant exemptions under the federal hiring freeze to ensure necessary medical staff and other key positions at the Phoenix VA were not left vacant. In response to the letter, the VA said that the hiring freeze was not to affect the Phoenix VA from hiring medical staff. My office has also hosted a veterans fair, and has recently opened up a satellite office at the Southeast Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic.

"My staff and I are resolved to stand with every veteran in our district and provide exceptional service for their needs. These veterans kept their promises to their nation, and they deserve a nation that keeps its promises to them. I am proud to stand with a Congress that takes this duty very seriously."

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Congressman Andy Biggs is a first-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Sun Lakes, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees, and is the chairman of the Environment Subcommittee. He lives with his wife Cindy in Gilbert.

Issues:Veterans