The Department of Veterans Affairs is under fire after a federal watchdog report revealed that the department paid out approximately $11 million in bonuses to executives who were later found to be ineligible for those payments. The VA Inspector General’s report detailed that the bonuses, which totaled as much as $100,000 for a single federal employee, were paid out “erroneously.”
Veterans and lawmakers have expressed their frustration and disappointment with the VA’s actions, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges faced by many veterans in accessing the support and services they need. Kate Monroe, CEO of VetComm, said, “This money awarded by Congress was specifically to help ease the backlog and make it easier for the men and women who served our country and became injured or disabled to receive the compensation they deserve.”
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) criticized the VA for inappropriately using the money “to line the pockets of VA executives to the detriment of VA’s workforce and the veterans they serve.” He vowed to get to the bottom of the issue, calling it a “serious problem for the second-largest agency in the federal government.”
The VA has stated that it is working to recoup the improperly paid bonuses, with more than 90% of critical skills incentives going to eligible recipients, such as police officers, housekeepers, and food service workers. However, many veterans and lawmakers remain skeptical and are calling for greater transparency and accountability within the department to ensure that the needs of veterans remain the top priority.
