Pappas, Van Orden Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve VA Management Accountability

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC), introduced the Training Responsible And Informed National (TRAIN) VA Employees Act alongside Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03). This bipartisan legislation would help improve accountability at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) by establishing new management training for VA supervisors, management officials, and senior executives.

“Additional management training for VA supervisors would improve their ability to support employees and address performance needs,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan bill with Congressman Van Orden which will strengthen workforce training for VA management and, as a result, improve services provided to veterans.”

“I am incredibly appreciative of all the great work Veterans’ Affairs does for our veterans and their families. It is important that we continue to do our due diligence to our veterans by ensuring VAs are operating at the highest standard possible,” said Congressman Van Orden. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the TRAIN VA Employees Act to require regularly scheduled trainings for Veterans’ Affairs supervisors, which will strengthen VAs across the nation to best serve our veterans.” 

The TRAIN VA Employees Act would:

• Require VA to develop a mandatory training program for VA management within 1 year of enactment. The training would be mandatory for all current & future employees covered under the legislation.
• Require VA management to participate in the training every two years, which will focus on topics such as:
  • Developing performance goals and objectives with employees;      
  • Effectively managing employees with unacceptable performance; and 
  • Training to understand disciplinary options and procedures available to supervisors, and more.
• Ensure managers know the rules, are aware of the disciplinary and management tools available to them, and fully understand their role in performance management processes.