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Gosar Introduces VA Hiring Integrity Act to Keep Convicted Fraudsters Off VA Payroll

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), issued the following statement in response to introducing H.R. 10556,  the VA Hiring Integrity Act of 2026, legislation that would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from hiring or retaining individuals who have knowingly committed fraud involving federal funds.

“Veterans who risked their lives to defend our country deserve to know that the people entrusted with their care and benefits can be trusted.  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 need for stronger hiring protections is clear.   A 2023 VA OIG report found four individuals on the Veterans Health Administration payroll who appeared on the HHS OIG exclusion list, including one convicted of health care fraud.  The VA removed them only after the OIG identified the problem. As the VA itself recognizes, fraud, waste and abuse undermine the integrity of the agency and erode the trust veterans place in it.

My legislation gives the VA 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.  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,” stated Congressman Gosar.

“Veterans have tremendous potential to continue serving and strengthening their communities long after they leave the military, and they deserve a VA that helps them do just that,” added Michael Nudo, Federal Legislative Liaison for Concerned Veterans for America. “The VA Hiring Integrity Act is a commonsense safeguard that helps ensure bad actors don’t undermine the care and support veterans need to thrive and continue contributing to our country.”

Background:

Under the VA Hiring Integrity Act, an individual would be prohibited from employment at the VA if their conduct resulted in:

• A criminal conviction for fraud, theft, bribery, kickbacks, false statements, conspiracy to commit such offenses, or similar crimes involving federal funds;
• A final civil judgment establishing liability under the False Claims Act; or
• Exclusion from federal health care programs as listed by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

The bill also preserves due process protections. The VA would be required to establish an internal grievance process for health care employees subject to the legislation, ensuring the law is applied based on documented conduct and cannot be weaponized for political purposes by changing administrations.

Original Cosponsors (34): Alford, Baird, Bean, Bergman, Biggs (SC), Bilirakis, Bost, Brecheen, Burchett, Carter (GA), Cloud, Davidson, Edwards, Fine, Finstad, Fry, Harrigan, Lawler, Luttrell, Mann, McDowell, McGuire, Messmer, Miller (OH), Moore (NC), Murphy (NC), Norman, Obernolte, Rose, Self, Sessions, Van Duyne, Van Orden, Wittman

Group Support: Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS, Concerned Veterans for America (CV4A), Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military-Veterans Advocacy (MVA), National Defense Committee, Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors (TAPS), Vietnam Veterans of America