Sen. Warner Calls Extensive VA Bonuses an 'Outrage'

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) released this statement today (Friday), following news that 80 percent of senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs (V-A) received bonuses despite reports of extensive delays and preventable deaths at its health care facilities:

"It is an outrage that while Virginia veterans were suffering because of gross mismanagement by the V-A, its senior executives were receiving cash performance bonuses on top of existing salaries. The lack of due diligence in validating performance data and the lack of accountability by these executives is unacceptable. While many V-A employees work hard to provide quality care and service to veterans, I’ve cosponsored the V-A Accountability Bill to provide the Secretary more tools to demand accountability from senior executives at the V-A. I will continue to fight to make sure our veterans receive the quality, timely services that they have earned.”

Veterans Affairs handed out $108.7 million in bonuses the past three years. 

USA Today reported that on Friday, Rep. Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican who chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee, which held a hearing today, said the public has lost trust in the VA because it seems to care more about financial incentives to employees than veteran care.