VA construction fight damages ties with Congress - Is this going to hurt in thr future?

2015-05-27T09:35:09-04:00

It was a partial victory for VA officials, who had pleaded with Congress for spending relief to keep subcontractors from walking off the job for the second time in six months, a move that at best would have added millions more in new costs and at worst could have shuttered the nearly $1 billion unfinished project.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/05/26/va-construction-fight-damages-ties-with-congress/27969673/

VA construction fight damages ties with Congress

VA officials got a temporary fix for the overbudget Denver hospital project, but only after more harsh words.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made May 27 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-05-27T09:38:06-04:00

Congress has to lighten up. Hell, they don't argue when they vote their pay raises in! WTF-Over!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 27 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-05-27T09:38:09-04:00

Kind of hard to imagine the VA's reputation being even further in the toilet in congress.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made May 27 at 2015 9:54 AM

2015-05-27T09:54:35-04:00

Congress has the responsibility to oversee what is going on. I think they should be holding the VA leadership responsible for the mess that is going on right now. But they also need to hold the president accountable for getting the right leadership in place at the VA and that new leader accountable for getting the right leaders in place through out the VA. The problems at the VA are a leadership issue, as far as I am concerned.

However, they should not be withholding funds that can actually help veterans.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-05-27T11:33:38-04:00

Both need a total revamping. Out with the Old Guard, and in with the New.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 7:55 PM

2015-05-27T19:55:54-04:00

Anyone have any insight into why this program is so over budget? Is there someone coming in and making lots of last minute changes? Are the contractors taking advantage of the VA and milking them for all they can get? Are the VA managers not competent enough to manage the program?

It would seem to me that a billion dollars over budget is enough to find someone who isn't doing their job properly and hold them accountable.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made May 28 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-05-28T13:49:06-04:00

It will be interesting to see, this type of warring between the administration and Congress has hurt agencies in past administrations. The dynamics of social media will play a huge role in how this progresses.