Improving Va Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2704, the Improving VA Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act.

I was proud to introduce this legislation alongside Congressman Chris Pappas and Senator Maggie Hassan, as well as my fellow Iowan, Senator Joni Ernst, who is a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor herself.

Last year, a Government Accountability Office report exposed disturbing failures at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to handle sexual harassment and discrimination at the agency properly. The report also revealed that between 18 and 27 percent of VA employees experienced some form of sexual harassment at work between 2014 and 2016.

This is completely unacceptable.

This bipartisan, bicameral bill will improve the way sexual harassment is handled at the VA and will crack down on instances of harassment and discrimination within the Department.

Nobody should feel unsafe at work. The care VA employees provide for our veterans is absolutely critical, but they cannot provide that best care, the care our veterans deserve, if they are suffering in a hostile work environment.

Not only is this an accountability and workplace safety issue, it is a disservice to our veterans who rely on the VA for high-quality care, and a disservice to taxpayers who fund the Department.

We can do better, and this legislation will ensure that those who serve our veterans feel safe at work so they can do their jobs effectively.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation.

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