Noteboom The Law Firm

Legislation Would Require VA To Report Travel Details

New legislation (HR 2302) has been proposed that will affect how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) travels. More specifically, the VA would be required to provide Congress with advance notice of any conference for employees:

 

·      for which the government would be spending more than $5,000; or

·      which would involve at least 20 people.

 

Not surprisingly, the VA opposes this bill. Major veterans groups, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), support the measure. The VFW is the largest combat veteran organization in the country and likes the idea of the VA reporting to both Congress and the public how their tax dollars are being spent. This is all part of what the VA needs to do in order to improve their transparency to the public, especially at a time when fiscal responsibility is absolutely necessary.

According to the VA representative, the bill's requirements would cause several issues within the VA. Not only would it cause the VA to jump through "unnecessary" hoops and create a reporting burden, it would apparently "discourage legitimate and beneficial conference activities."

The burden would be created by the VA being forced to report their conferences 180 days ahead of time. That mandate would prevent the VA from scheduling conferences on "emerging needs." Further, the way the bill defines meetings is far too broad, which would end up impeding daily activities.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.