Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2687, which would provide the VA inspector general with limited subpoena power. In some investigations, VA employees who may have important information have left the Department. At that point, the inspector general has no authority to compel their testimony, which can leave investigations weak or incomplete. This bill would give the inspector general the authority to subpoena those former employees.

However, this authority is not without checks and balances. The bill would require the IG to notify the Attorney General before using the subpoena. The Attorney General may object and prevent the IG from issuing the subpoena if doing so would interfere with an ongoing investigation.

This authority would sunset in May of 2025 and would require Congress to then evaluate the need for this authority and if it should be continued. This is a good bill to expand oversight of the VA, and it has my full support.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source