Press Releases

Washington, D.C. -- Yesterday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee unanimously passed Ranking Member Rosendale’s H.R 2250, the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act.

The bipartisan VA IT Reform Act prevents the VA from starting new major IT projects before submitting to Congress a cost estimate, schedule, and performance goals for each project. This legislation would provide Congress the same information the VA already submits to the Office of Management and Budget, including annual reviews of the VA’s IT portfolio and reports on the progress of projects. The bill would also put an end to the VA Financial Services Center’s autonomy in managing IT and move its systems under the purview of the chief information officer.

Without basic information, it is impossible for Congress to hold the VA accountable in the management of its multi-billion-dollar IT budget, and ensure the VA is being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.

The bill now awaits consideration by the full House.

“Our veterans are our nation’s heroes and we need to ensure that the VA is working effectively and efficiently to serve their needs. I’m proud to see this bill take an early step to becoming law. Congress should not have to horse-trade with the agency to get basic information about its projects to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively,” said Ranking Member Rosendale. “This bill would immediately add transparency to how taxpayer money is being spent. Before Congress appropriates billions of dollars, we need to know what VA's plans are so we can provide the oversight that veterans and taxpayers need and deserve.”

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