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Legislative Hearing

House Veterans Affairs Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee

March 25, 2026 (recording here)

HEARING INFORMATION

Witnesses & Written Testimony (linked) (Panel One):

• Dr. Ilse Wiechers: Acting Deputy Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs

• Mr. Rondy L. Waye: Executive Director, Human Capital Programs, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, Human Resources and Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• Mr. Jeffrey Neil: Associate Executive Director, Technology Acquisition Center, The Office of Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Witnesses & Written Testimony (linked) (Panel Two):

• Mr. Cole Lyle: Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion

• Mr. Joseph Avila: Administrator, Sterile Processing Department, University of Virginia Health System

• Ms. Brittany Madni: Executive Vice President, Economic Policy Innovation Center

• Sgt. Dennis Guerrero: Vice President, Local 3511, American Federation of Government Employees

TOP-LINES TO SHOW YOU ARE IN THE KNOW

1. Members on both sides kept coming back to workforce issues, especially staffing shortages, pay concerns, and morale challenges across the VA.

2. There was a clear focus on tightening oversight and accountability, with repeated concerns about how the VA manages its budget and reports information to Congress.

3. Data privacy and IT risks came up multiple times, particularly around third-party contractors and the potential misuse of veterans’ personal information.

4. Patient safety was framed as a systemic issue that still needs stronger standards and consistency.

5. Several members raised broader concerns about whether increased VA spending is actually translating into better outcomes for veterans, including in areas like mental health and suicide prevention.

PARTY LINE PERSPECTIVES

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE & OTHER MEMBERS

• Chairwoman Jen Kiggans shared that the purpose of the hearing was to examine 12 bills aimed at improving accountability, care, and VA operations. She spotlighted legislation addressing patient safety, including her bill focused on improving sterile processing protocols to prevent harm to veterans. She also mentioned efforts to improve payment fairness, financial oversight, and accountability for misuse of taxpayer funds. She advocated for systemic reform and expressed appreciation for the witnesses’ participation.

• Ranking Member Delia Ramirez spoke about bipartisan collaboration while also strongly criticizing VA leadership and workforce conditions under Secretary Doug Collins. She highlighted the importance of collective bargaining rights and workforce protections, arguing they are essential for recruitment, retention, and quality veteran care. She raised concerns about VA transparency, delays in congressional communication, and a controversial guardianship initiative that she argued could harm vulnerable veterans. She stressed ongoing workforce attrition and the need for continued oversight and accountability.

• Full Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano focused his remarks on concerns about the VA’s guardianship initiative and its potential impact on veterans’ rights and autonomy. He argued that the policy could lead to forced institutionalization of vulnerable veterans without addressing root causes like housing shortages and workforce decline. He also discussed significant reductions in VA staffing and resources, warning that these trends would worsen access to care. He cautioned that the initiative posed broader risks to civil liberties and called for greater accountability and reconsideration of the policy.

• Rep. Jack Bergman mentioned his legislation to modernize VA financial management and improve budget transparency and accountability. He referenced past issues with inaccurate budget projections and emphasized the need to prevent future failures through stronger oversight structures. His bill aimed to clarify the authority of the VA’s Chief Financial Officer and establish a clear chain of command for financial operations. He said that improved financial management was critical to ensuring responsible use of taxpayer funds and effective congressional oversight.

• Rep. Nikki Budzinski underlined the importance of protecting veterans’ personal and health data amid increasing technological risks and system interoperability. She raised concerns about third-party vendors potentially accessing, misusing, or monetizing sensitive data, especially with the growing use of artificial intelligence. Her bill aimed to prohibit contractors from selling or monetizing veterans’ data and to strengthen oversight and reporting requirements. She upheld the responsibility to safeguard veterans’ information and ensure it is used solely in their interest.

• Rep. Nancy Mace described inefficiencies in the VA’s management of software licenses, noting waste from duplicate purchases and unused licenses. She argued that the VA lacked a comprehensive inventory system and criticized the department’s claims that reform was unnecessary. She cited findings from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirming ongoing tracking failures, concluding that congressional action was needed to address waste and improve accountability.

• Rep. Tim Kennedy focused on staffing shortages and declining morale among VA police officers, illustrating the risks posed to veterans and staff. He argued that proposed pay grade downgrades would worsen recruitment and retention challenges, potentially leading to decreased safety and slower response times. He cited real-world consequences of understaffing, including a fatal incident at a VA facility. His bill aimed to prevent pay cuts and support workforce stability to ensure safety.

• Rep. Kimberlyn King Hinds discussed barriers faced by veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) in accessing subcontracting opportunities within VA contracts. She explained that her bill would create a centralized database to increase transparency and expand access for qualified businesses. She underlined that the legislation aimed to promote fairness, competition, and accountability in subcontracting practices. She urged support to better enable veteran entrepreneurs to succeed.

• Rep. Keith Self addressed gaps in the VA’s authority to recover improperly awarded bonuses and relocation expenses from former employees. He argued that the current law allows individuals who leave the VA to retain funds they should not have received, undermining accountability. He explained that his bill would extend recoupment authority to former employees and improve stewardship of taxpayer dollars. He also spotlighted a separate bill aimed at improving communication and transparency between the VA and Congress.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL ONE)

• Dr. Ilse Wiechers provided the VA’s perspective on several proposed bills, expressing support for some objectives while raising concerns about implementation challenges and redundancy with existing authorities. She noted potential operational burdens and policy conflicts associated with certain proposals, including payment reforms and workforce-related legislation. She indicated that the VA supported some measures with modifications and was continuing to evaluate others. She expressed the VA’s commitment to collaboration and improving veteran care and oversight.

• Rep. Juan Ciscomani asked how the Vets CLEAR Act would improve patient care by reinvesting recovered funds. Dr. Wiechers responded that the VA supported the bill in part because consolidating funds into the Medical Care Collections Fund would increase flexibility and allow resources to be directly used for veteran care.

• Rep. Ciscomani then questioned how improved fund recovery could support hiring and retention. Mr. Rondy Waye replied that additional funding could be directed toward filling critical staffing gaps and supporting recruitment efforts. Rep. Ciscomani followed up on whether the bill aligned with modernization efforts. Mr. Jeffrey Neil explained that increased available funding would support acquisitions and allow resources to be directed toward priority needs.

• Ranking Member Ramirez asked why the VA eliminated the ability for employees to use family medical leave to care for in-laws. Mr. Waye said that the VA had not eliminated the ability entirely, claiming that employees could still use sick leave, but he acknowledged that broader policy decisions were deferred to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The Ranking Member pressed on the policy change and its impact, and Mr. Waye maintained he did not have data on how many employees were affected, but noted alternative leave options such as annual leave or leave without pay.

• Ranking Member Ramirez further questioned the VA’s compliance with a federal court order on collective bargaining agreements. Mr. Waye responded that the VA was working with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for guidance and had not yet taken specific implementation steps.

• Rep. King Hinds discussed concerns about subcontracting barriers for VOSBs and sought clarification on VA feedback regarding her bill. She asked how contracting officers ensure that prime contractors provide fair subcontracting opportunities. Mr. Neil stated that contracting officers require subcontracting plans aligned with federal regulations, review those plans before contract awards, and coordinate with agencies like the Small Business Administration to ensure compliance and encourage participation by veteran-owned businesses.

• Rep. Kennedy asked about the number of VA police officers and how many were affected by potential pay grade downgrades. Mr. Waye reported that approximately 3,700 officers were employed, with about 900 positions potentially impacted, affecting several thousand employees. Rep. Kennedy then asked about reasons officers were leaving and whether downgrades were cited, and Mr. Waye acknowledged that downgrades had been paused while the VA reviewed options with the Office of Personnel Management.

• Rep. Kennedy further asked whether staffing shortages and proposed downgrades would affect recruitment and retention. Mr. Waye admitted that such changes could have an impact, though mitigation measures like pay retention could reduce immediate effects.

• Rep. Herb Conaway inquired whether the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs had been impacted by staffing reductions and expressed concern about delays in responses to Congress. Dr. Wiechers did not have information on staffing impacts and pledged to follow up later.

• Rep. Conaway then asked how the VA protects veterans’ data when contractors and AI systems access it. Mr. Neil responded that existing federal regulations and VA policies govern data use, contract requirements, and oversight to prevent misuse. Rep. Conaway followed up on whether any personnel had improperly taken VA data, and Mr. Neil said that he was not aware of such incidents, but would follow up.

• Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen asked why, despite existing authority, less than half of sterile processing technicians were certified. Dr. Wiechers answered that the VA already had internal certification processes, competency requirements, and training aligned with industry standards, though she acknowledged the importance of the issue.

• Rep. Radewagen then questioned how training and certification affect workforce performance. Mr. Waye replied that better-trained employees improve service delivery, but cautioned that requiring certification before hiring could reduce the applicant pool.

• Rep. Radewagen asked how often the VA recoups bonuses from employees involved in misconduct and why the authority was not used more frequently. Mr. Waye responded that recoupment actions were taken when statutory criteria were met, though such cases were relatively infrequent, and he described the due process steps involved.

• Rep. Radewagen then inquired about how the Vets CLEAR Act would improve patient care through reinvested funds. Dr. Wiechers responded that directing recovered funds into the Medical Care Collections Fund would allow resources to be distributed more quickly and transparently to facilities, improving delivery of care and services to veterans.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL TWO)

• Mr. Cole Lyle testified that the VA must improve stewardship of resources, highlighting inefficiencies in software management and risks to veterans’ data. He supported several bills aimed at improving oversight, financial management, and accountability, while recommending targeted amendments to strengthen implementation and avoid unintended consequences. He also advocated for closing loopholes related to bonus recovery from former employees and improving transparency in VA financial operations. He acknowledged the importance of protecting taxpayer dollars while ensuring high-quality care for veterans.

• Mr. Joseph Avila highlighted the critical role of sterile processing technicians in ensuring surgical safety and preventing patient harm. He argued that current VA training requirements were insufficient and lacked rigorous certification standards compared to the private sector. He underscored that standardized certification and ongoing training would improve patient outcomes and reduce risks of contamination. He also held that stronger credentialing requirements were essential to ensuring safe and reliable care for veterans.

• Ms. Brittany Madni focused on the broader fiscal challenges facing the VA, speaking about rising federal deficits, increased spending, and risks of waste, fraud, and abuse. She pointed to stronger oversight and accountability to ensure funds were effectively used to improve veteran outcomes. She supported several bills aimed at improving financial transparency, recouping improper payments, and reducing inefficiencies, including those related to bonuses and community care payments. She concluded that these reforms would strengthen the VA’s fiscal health without increasing overall spending.

• Sgt. Dennis Guerrero discussed the critical role of VA police officers in maintaining safety at VA facilities and illustrated severe staffing shortages and declining morale. He believed that proposed pay downgrades would worsen recruitment and retention challenges, further compromising safety for veterans and staff. He supported legislation to prevent pay cuts and improve workforce conditions, noting that many officers could earn significantly more in other law enforcement roles. He stated that addressing staffing, pay, and morale issues was essential to stabilizing the VA police workforce.

• Chairwoman Kiggans asked how site-neutral payment policies would affect federal finances and care standards. Ms. Madni responded that such policies would reduce government spending and debt service costs while maintaining care quality and lowering out-of-pocket costs for patients. The Chairwoman then asked about the benefits of improved financial oversight through modernization reforms, and Ms. Madni explained that better data access and clearer financial structures would enhance Congress’s ability to conduct oversight.

• Chairwoman Kiggans also asked about the differences between certified and uncertified technicians. Mr. Avila replied that certified technicians demonstrated greater competency, safety knowledge, and adherence to standards, while a lack of certification increased risks such as delays, cancellations, and patient exposure to harm.

• Rep. Kennedy questioned the impact of proposed pay downgrades on VA police morale and staffing. Sgt. Guerrero stated that morale was at its lowest point, with officers leaving for higher-paying jobs and vacancies going unfilled due to hiring restrictions.

• Rep. Kennedy also asked about salary comparisons, and Sgt. Guerrero explained that VA police salaries were significantly lower than those of local law enforcement, contributing to recruitment challenges. He further clarified that many officers remained out of dedication to serving fellow veterans despite these challenges.

• Rep. Bergman asked whether the VA had a clear and accountable financial chain of command. Mr. Lyle claimed that existing structures were insufficient, citing past budget discrepancies, and supported reforms to establish clearer accountability. Rep. Bergman also questioned whether stronger oversight would improve services, and Mr. Lyle agreed that clearer financial management would build trust and ensure effective use of resources.

• Rep. Bergman then inquired about the impact of unclear financial responsibilities. Ms. Madni believed that blurred lines of authority had significantly hindered oversight and contributed to unsustainable spending increases.

• Ranking Member Ramirez asked about the importance of expanded leave policies for VA employees. Sgt. Guerrero replied that allowing leave to care for in-laws or family members was critical for workforce morale, recruitment, and retention, and he explained how current limitations created hardship for employees.

• The Ranking Member then asked about concerns regarding data privacy, and Mr. Lyle said that veterans were increasingly worried about misuse of their information and that stronger protections were needed as technology evolves.

• Ranking Member Ramirez also asked about certification standards, and Mr. Avila explained that third-party certifications are regularly updated and better reflect evolving medical practices compared to internal VA training.

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