From his perch on the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., wants answers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) about employees taking part in protests backed by big unions.
The First Coast Republican noted on Wednesday that the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) held protests last month as part of its “March on VA” which featured events at VA facilities, the U.S. Capitol and at the AFL-CIO Headquarters.
“When asked whether the VA employees who participated in these union events violated the standard for use of official time, where VA employees are permitted to work on union duties during work hours, the Department of Veterans Affairs responded that ‘employees may only participate in a rally or informational picketing while on leave. They cannot be in a paid duty status when they are protesting or rallying,’” the congressman’s office maintained.
This week, Rutherford sent a letter to U.S. Veterans Affairs Sec. David Shulkin demanding answers.
“I recognize and support the attendees’ freedom to exercise constitutional rights to participate in these rallies and protests,” said Rutherford. “I am, however, concerned that some VA employees may have violated federal law. A recent Government Accountability Office report shows how VA is not properly accounting for how much taxpayer money is being used on employees performing union activities. This is time and funding that should be spent on patient care or other services that directly benefit veterans. I am asking Secretary Shulkin to look into this situation to see whether these employees are fully complying with VA policy and adequately serving America’s veterans.”
Since first being elected to Congress in 2016, Rutherford has taken aim at VA employees performing union activities while on the clock. In February 2017, Rutherford weighed in on the matter during a House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity hearing on the matter.
Rutherford also opined on the matter last spring.
“Official time is not working,” Rutherford told Federal News Radio in May. “It’s evidenced by wait lines. It’s evidenced by lack of service to our veterans who have earned that care. … I don’t need any more information.”
