Manchin, Capito Applaud Senate Passage of Bill To Improve Transparency at VA Medical Centers

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today applauded the Senate passage of legislation Tuesday evening that would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit to Congress a report on the use of security cameras in VA medical centers.

 

The Senate-approved bill, which passed the House earlier this year, is sponsored by Representatives David McKinley (W.Va.-01), Alex Mooney (W.Va.-02), and Carol Miler (W.Va.-03), is companion legislation to the Senate version. It would help better address transparency issues at VAMC’s in light of the deaths of veterans at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center.

“Veterans in West Virginia and across the country have sacrificed so much to bravely defend our great nation. It’s our responsibility to ensure that when our Veterans return home, they receive the quality care they deserve from our VA facilities. Over the past several years, West Virginia Veterans have lost faith in the VA system due to the murders of at least seven Veterans at the Clarksburg VAMC and the negligence that allowed this heartbreaking tragedy to occur,” Senator Manchin, member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said. “I am pleased the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation to require the VA to submit a report on the use of security cameras at VA facilities. This is a good first step in restoring our Veterans’ confidence in the VA medical centers, but we have a long way to go. I’m pleased this important legislation is now headed to President Biden’s desk, and as we move forward I will keep fighting to ensure every Veteran has access to the safe, quality healthcare they deserve.”

 

“What happened at the Clarksburg VA was a tragedy, and there are clear steps we can take to ensure it never happens again,” Senator Capito said. “Those who served our nation deserve safe, high-quality care, and that’s why I’ve remained in close contact with those involved in this investigation and VA leadership to ensure we get answers. As a result of one of those conversations, I determined one of those potential answers came in the form of legislation I authored to examine the use of security cameras at VA medical centers, which provide transparency and accountability. I’m glad the Senate passed this important bill that will help us avoid tragedies like this in the future, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”