Capito, Ernst seek answers to ‘deeply concerning’ allegations against VA

U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) cited several high-profile incidents of sexual assault and harassment at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as the basis for their recent request seeking information on how the VA is working to rectify the issue.

“We are requesting more information about the VA’s anti-sexual assault and anti-sexual harassment policies and training initiatives, as well as any efforts underway to prevent the reoccurrence of sexual assault and sexual harassment within the agency and how the agency hold perpetrators accountable,” the senators wrote in an Oct. 31 letter sent to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.

Calling the situation “deeply concerning,” Sens. Ernst and Capito wrote that recent incidents highlight possible lingering issues within VA policies and procedures that must be resolved.

“We are disturbed by these allegations and feel it is essential that we understand better what the VA is doing to address the problems and prevent them from happening in the future,” wrote the senators.

The lawmakers requested Wilkie answer several questions, including how the VA assesses the credentials of contracting providers and if standards exist to ensure the providers don’t have a history of sexual assault or sexual harassment.

Additionally, Sens. Ernst and Capito seek details on the number of current VA employees who have been convicted of sexual assault or had a complaint involving sexual assault sustained by an administrative determination, and if the VA subsequently increased such an employee’s rate of basic pay, awarded them an employee bonus, or promoted them.

The lawmakers also want to know if the VA offers counseling and other services to victims who were sexually assaulted while receiving care from the department, among other questions.