Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) has introduced a bill to keep convicted fraudsters from working at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
What the Bill Does
As suggested, Rep. Gosar's VA Hiring Integrity Act prohibits the VA from hiring individuals convicted of fraud, bribery, kickbacks, theft, false statements, or conspiracy to commit such crimes involving federal funds.
Additionally, the bill subjects such individuals to a final civil judgment establishing liability under the False Claims Act and excludes them from federal health care programs listed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
What Gosar is Saying
"Veterans who risked their lives to defend our country deserve to know that the people entrusted with their care and benefits can be trusted," Rep. Gosar said through a press release, adding, "It is unacceptable for someone who has committed fraud against the federal government to turn around and collect a federal paycheck—especially from the very department responsible for serving our veterans."
The Arizona congressman highlighted a 2023 report from the VA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that found four individuals on the exclusion list, including one convicted of healthcare fraud, who were still working at the VA but were only removed after the OIG brought attention to it.
As a result, Gosar described his VA Hiring Integrity Act as "a common-sense tool to remove bad actors and protect veterans and taxpayers."
"There should be no such thing as a federal job for someone who has defrauded the federal government," he concluded. "We need to put veterans first, protect taxpayer dollars, and make sure the VA has the authority it needs to deal with fraud and abuse."
Other Anti-Fraud Bills
Gosar is not the only Arizona congressman fighting fraud. Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) also introduced the CATFISH Act earlier in September to crack down on fraudsters who scam America's seniors online.
