It is given that the Department of Veterans Affairs has a very crucial role in making sure that Veterans receive the care, benefits, and services that they deserve, especially since Veterans also give the nation their best. However, since issues are being raised in different areas, some concerns have been raised about accountability in the VA.

The VA Accountability Act​, also known as the Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which was signed by Donald Trump, and the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability Act of 2025 are being used to address the issues of accountability.

What Is the 2017 Accountability Act?

Back in 2017, Donald Trump signed the act, which was created to ensure transparency within the VA. This made it easier for the VA to fire and suspend employees who have done wrongdoings or those who have performed poorly.

Additionally, it also supported whistleblower protections, which were also created to make sure that employees who report wrongdoings don’t face any sort of punishment. At the time, the 2017 act also had issues when it was created to improve employees’ accountability in the VA.

2017 Act Clauses

These are the following provisions in the Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which are created to support the VA’s ability to fix misconduct and protect those who report it:

• It allowed the VA Secretary to quickly remove or discipline employees who have a poor performance record.
• The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) was established to make sure they are aware of employee conduct and to protect whistleblowers.
• It only has a limited appeal process for disciplined employees.
• There is more flexibility in hiring and firing.

Court rulings by the Federal Circuit, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) were the reason why the provision of the 2017 act got weak, which made it more difficult to discipline employees effectively.

The VA announced that it would no longer use the 2017 Act as it was too ineffective to be used at the time under the Biden-Harris administration.

The VA Accountability Act of 2025

Now, the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability Act of 2025 was introduced in the 119th Congress to address the issues that the 2017 Act faced.

The Restore Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability Act of 2025 has a goal of restoring and strengthening the VA’s power to hold employees accountable for their actions so that veterans can receive quality care.

"While VA employs some of the finest men and women, it only takes a few bad employees to disrupt the culture and service at the VA," Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said in a statement. "This bill would restore the intent of Congress and help make certain that veterans receive the high-quality care and benefits they've earned and VA staff have the healthy workplace they deserve."

Provisions of the 2025 Act

The 2025 act helps the VA hold employees accountable by making it easier to discipline or remove those who don’t perform well. It’s basically the same provisions but making them stronger to be used effectively.

The following provisions of the 2025 Act will help improve accountability within the VA:

• It will restore the VA Secretary’s power to discipline or remove employees for misconduct or those who have poor performance.
• It will speed up the discipline process.
• It will protect whistleblowers while still making sure that VA employees do their jobs properly.

Why the Provisions Matter

The VA is responsible for serving Veterans; therefore, if employees aren’t held accountable and fail to do their jobs properly, this will lead to poor service and low-quality care.

"We're going to restore the intent of Congress -- and President Trump -- by bringing accountability back for good because America's veterans deserve to know that the employees who are providing them with the care and services they have earned are the best and the brightest," House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bos said in a statement.

Without strong accountability enforcement, the VA wouldn’t be able to address underperformance, misconduct, and corruption properly.

Better Veteran Care

The Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025 will play an important role in making sure that the VA remains efficient, fair, and committed to serving Veterans.

Back at a June 2024 rally, Trump said, "On day one of my new administration, I will fully restore the use of the VA Accountability Act and direct my secretary of Veterans Affairs to fire every corrupt abuser of our Veterans."

VA Secretary Doug Collins has also said in a statement that their intent is to make sure that employees who are not fulfilling their duties are not going to take the job anymore.

After all, the goal is to give the highest quality of care and service to our Veterans.

Read next:

• Paul Lawrence Named Deputy VA Secretary Following Senate Vote
• Project 2025 and Its Impact on Active Duty & Veterans
• Can You Sue the Military?

Sources:

• Restore Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accountability Act