WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, legislation authored by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to improve transparency at VA medical centers was signed into law by President Joe Biden. This law will now require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit to Congress a report on the use of security cameras in VA medical facilities. 

“Our veterans have made unimaginable sacrifices on behalf of our freedom, and they deserve access to safe, reliable, and trustworthy care at our VA medical centers. What happened at the Clarksburg VAMC in 2017 and 2018 was an unacceptable lapse in leadership and accountability. This is an incredibly urgent matter, and I’m thankful that my colleagues have recognized the need for additional, comprehensive oversight from the Department of Veterans Affairs. With the president signing this legislation into law today, we are taking an important step in the right direction, however, at the same time, we must continue to remain vigilant against evil attacks on our veterans and push for the utmost level of transparency,” Senator Capito said.

“Over the past several years, West Virginia Veterans have lost faith in the VA system due to the murders of at least seven Veterans at the Clarksburg VAMC and the negligence that allowed this heartbreaking tragedy to occur. It’s our responsibility to ensure that when our Veterans return home, they receive the quality care they deserve from our VA facilities,” Senator Manchin, member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said. “Today, President Biden signed our bipartisan legislation into law, requiring the VA to submit a report on the use of security cameras at VA facilities. This is a good first step in restoring our Veterans’ confidence in the VA medical centers, but we have a long way to go and I am committed to ensuring every Veteran has access to the safe, quality healthcare they deserve.”

Additionally, the legislation was sponsored by Representatives David McKinley (W.Va.-01), Alex Mooney (W.Va.-02), and Carol Miler (W.Va.-03).

Full text of the Senate version of the bill can be viewed here.

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