WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAU) — Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation from both sides of the aisle are seeking passage of legislation to prevent problems like those at the Tomah Veterans Administration Hospital from ever being repeated. It’s called the Inspector General Transparency Act, and is heading to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
3rd District Congressman Ron Kind says the Wisconsin elected officials all agree, this can never happen again, and recent changes make this the right time for this legislation. “In light of the recent resignation of the acting inspector general it is time to take the necessary steps to increase transparency in the VA Inspector General’s office. I am proud to join a bipartisan group of my Wisconsin colleagues to request the House Oversight Committee to pass my legislation to ensure greater transparency in the Office of the Inspector General,”
The bipartisan Inspectors General Transparency Act of 2015 amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to require that, no later than three days after completion, all Office of inspector General (OIG) reports are published on the OIG website and submitted to agency heads and Members of Congress.
The Members of Congress presenting this legislation agree these steps are necessary to provide the best care to our veterans. “Providing quality care for our veterans is not a partisan issue. Working together to ensure greater transparency in not only the VA system, but all federal agencies, we can make sure the tragic events at Tomah are never repeated.”
Representatives James Sensenbrenner, Gwen Moore, Paul Ryan, Mark Pocan, Ried Ribble, and Sean Duffy all signed onto the letter to the committee.
