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Trump Signs Legislation Giving VA More Power to Fire Failed Employees

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June 23, 2017

President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law legislation giving the Department of Veterans Affairs more power to fire failed employees and protect whistleblowers who uncover wrongdoing at the agency.

The Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act passed the house by a 368-55 vote earlier in June, CNN reports. It passed the Senate by a unanimous voice vote.

"One of my greatest honors and joys during the presidential campaign was the time I spent going all across the country with our nations really and truly incredible veterans," Trump said.

"As you all know all too well, for many years the government failed to keep its promises to our veterans. We all remember the nightmare that veterans suffered during the VA scandals that were exposed a few years ago," Trump said.

Mismanagement at the VA led to hundreds of preventable deaths, according to department records, which led to the resignation of Obama administration Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki.

"This is one of the largest reforms to the VA in its history. It's a reform that I campaigned on, and now I am thrilled to be able to sign that promise into law," Trump said.

During the ceremony, Trump repeatedly thanked Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin's work on the bills.

Trump also noted he signed the Veterans Choice Improvement Act for veterans to be able to see the doctor of their choice.