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Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved an amendment offered by Rep. Brian Babin to end the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)’s abused Appraised Value Offer program.  Ending this program ensures that these funds remain available to care for veterans rather than being spent on expensive relocation packages for VA bureaucrats.  Below are excerpts of Babin’s speech on the House floor in support of his amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029).  To watch the full speech, please click here.  

 “Under the Appraised Value Offer program, the VA spent nearly $300,000 in taxpayer money to move a VA employee 140 miles - from Washington DC to Philadelphia,” said Rep. Babin.  That’s $300,000 that could have been used to care for numerous deserving veterans who have served this nation in uniform, but instead was wasted on relocating a single VA government bureaucrat.

 “Unfortunately, this is just another disturbing example of the lack of transparency and accountability at the VA.  The folks at the VA are already under scrutiny for their shocking failure to properly care for veterans – and to now spend $300,000 to move one employee – it is absolutely abusive.  Clearly, the VA cannot be trusted to exercise common sense with this program and it is time to end it.”

 Background:

• Washington Times: House chairman blasts VA relocation payments as ‘scheme’
• Daily Caller: Congressman Calls for End to Federal Housing ‘Scheme’ That Netted Official A $288K Bonus
• The Blaze: Here’s How Taxpayers Are Helping Senior Government Officials Sell Their Homes at Inflated Prices