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This week in the House, we focused on America's veterans. Keep scrolling to read more.

Three bills passed the House this week aimed at accountability and due process within the VA:
  • H.R. 1881, Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

    • Under current practice, if a veteran or beneficiary is appointed a fiduciary from the VA, they are labeled as mentally incompetent in the VA’s system. The Department automatically sends the veteran’s information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Inclusion on this list may prohibit an individual from legally purchasing or owning a firearm.

    • An individual may apply for relief from the firearms prohibitions, but that leaves a VA bureaucrat—not a judge— with authority to decide if the relief is warranted. Why should a VA pencil pusher hold that kind of power? What about due process?

    • H.R. 1881 prohibits the VA from making the call as to whether an individual assisted by a fiduciary is “mentally defective.”

  • H.R. 1367, To improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the Department of the Veterans Affairs

    • Establishes staffing, recruitment, retention and fellowship programs to enable the VA to recruit and retain the very best in the field.

    • The VA’s future depends on its ability to recruit and retain highly qualified, competent and motivated professionals at all levels.

    • We want the best and most talented professionals possible treating our nation’s most deserving—this legislation helps get us there.

  • H.R. 1181, VA Accountability First Act

    • Provides the VA Secretary increased flexibility to remove, demote or suspend any VA employee for performance or misconduct.

    • This legislation gives the Secretary the authority to order employees who engaged in misconduct or poor performance to repay bonuses and/or relocation expenses and reduce retirement payments for employees convicted of a felony.

    • Additionally, it improves protections for whistleblowers.

Why it takes legislation to enforce common sense is beyond me, but I will gladly support measures to restore VA accountability. It is our responsibility to provide the best possible care to our servicemen and women—getting rid of bad actors is a great place to start. Click the link below to watch my speech.

 
Click HERE to watch Rep. Rick Allen's speech.           


I hosted another Telephone Town Hall on Tuesday night after making my trek from Georgia through the snowy Washington weather. I gave a quick Washington Update on the House’s agenda to roll back rules and regulations, national security, VA reform and accountability legislation on the House floor and a recap of last week’s Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017 and what it means for our area. I asked a series of poll questions which I want to share with you below.

                            

Poll Question Results:

ICYMI: President Trump released his budget blueprint Thursday. His plan seeks to reduce the size of the government, grow the economy and give our troops the materials and resources necessary to carry out and complete their mission. Click HERE to read the President’s budget.  
                               

GA-12 Announcements:
  •  College students and young professionals-- interested in a congressional internship? My office is now accepting applications for our 2017 Summer Internship Program in Washington, DC. Applications need to be submitted online HERE and must be submitted by March 31, 2017. Questions? Contact Carlton in my office at 202.225.2823.
  • Community Office Hours are happening now! Click HERE to find out when members of my staff will be in your neighborhood to assist one-on-one with federal issues you may be having.
  • Please be sure to sign up for my telephone town halls. Register your information HERE to receive all future calls from me.

If you missed my Telephone Town Hall, let me know your answers to our poll questions.  You can email me ⇒ HERE, contact any of our offices or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I hope you have a great week.
                               




Sincerely,

 

Rick Allen
Member of Congress

 
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