WASHINGTON,
Aug. 30 – Leaders of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the
Special Committee on Aging said today that they are “deeply troubled” by
the Department of Veterans Affairs’ lax oversight of private advisers
to veterans applying for pensions and other benefits.
The
senators cited a new report by the Government Accountability Office
that faulted the VA for loosely enforcing its own vague rules on
accrediting private financial planners, attorneys, insurance agents and
others. The nonpartisan congressional agency that audits federal
programs also criticized the VA for leaving itself vulnerable to abuses
and for keeping veterans in the dark about their rights.
The GAO report was cited in a letter
to Secretary Eric Shinseki from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and
Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the chairman and ranking member of the veterans’
committee. Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a veterans’ committee member
and former chairman, and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), the Senate Special
Committee on Aging chairman, also signed the letter.
“We
are deeply troubled by the findings indicating weaknesses in the
accreditation program, which may prevent VA from ensuring that veterans
are served by knowledgeable, qualified, and trustworthy
representatives,” the senators wrote.
The
senators said the accreditation procedures should be strengthened to
protect veterans from unscrupulous advisers among the 20,000 approved by
the department. They also echoed a GAO recommendation and urged the
department to do a better job letting veterans know how to report
abuses. Problems with the accreditation program are compounded by a lack
of staff and inadequate technology, the senators added.
The
latest GAO report builds on an investigation last year that found weak
oversight and unclear rules made the VA ripe for abuse. That report
found that some firms overcharge veterans for services or sell financial
products that end up limiting veteran’s access to the benefits that
they deserve.
Daniel Akaka was Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee before Senator Murray and he and Richard Burr had a professional and respectful relationship. Murray and Burr continued and deepened that. It continues now with Sanders and Burr. No, Burr didn't agree with the three on everything or them with him on everything but they found a way to be adults and to stay focused on the issues. It's a shame that this is not carried through on every Congressional Committee. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has been able to focus on a large number of issues and actually move mountains on a few because of the lack of egos in leadership. Akaka, Murray, Sanders and Burr especially deserve applause. And, again, it is so very nice to see one aspect of Congress (or, for that matter, the federal government) which functions and works.