Bill Overview
Title: Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021
Description: This bill gives the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) the authority to subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses as necessary to carry out the duties of the office. Such authority terminates on May 31, 2025, but subpoenas issued prior to that date shall be unaffected by the termination. The bill prohibits the VA OIG from subpoenaing the attendance and testimony of current federal employees or witnesses as part of any criminal proceeding. Under the bill, the VA OIG must notify the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the intended witness of the intent to issue a subpoena. If DOJ objects to the subpoena because it will interfere with an ongoing investigation, the VA OIG may not issue the subpoena.
Sponsors: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs services
Estimated Size: 19000000
- The bill pertains to enhancing the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General in conducting non-criminal investigations.
- The primary individuals who will be affected by this bill include veterans, as the VA OIG oversight aims to ensure the proper functioning and accountability of services provided to them.
- Veterans and their families who utilize VA services are the direct beneficiaries of improved oversight and accountability.
- DH increased oversight by the VA OIG may lead to improved services and responsiveness to veterans' needs.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a very specific segment of the population—veterans and their families who utilize VA services.
- Given the large number of veterans, around 19 million, and their families potentially reached by VA services, the actual determinant of impact is the frequency and nature of service interaction.
- Most veterans may experience indirect effects through enhanced oversight, while those more engaged with VA services may feel a stronger impact.
- The policy does not directly affect veterans' economic or immediate personal circumstances but aims to improve administrative accountability and service delivery.
- The budget is allocated to increase the capacity of oversight, leading to long-term gains in trust and service quality rather than immediate, tangible changes.
- Those outside the veteran community, especially non-users of VA services, are unlikely to feel any impact from this policy.
- Matter of timing: Immediate effects are minimal but could increase if oversight leads to substantial changes in service delivery over several years.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Army Veteran (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this policy will lead to better accountability within the VA.
- I've had issues with appointment scheduling in the past, better oversight could help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Veteran affairs advocate (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill could make a significant difference in holding the VA accountable.
- It's about time we had tools to ensure transparency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Current National Guard member (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems good, but I don't see an immediate impact on my life.
- It's reassuring for future engagements with the VA after my service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
VA clinic nurse (Houston, Texas)
Age: 59 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving the oversight can help reduce redundant bureaucracy.
- Staff and resource management often suffer without adequate inspection.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software Developer (New York City, New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support policies that provide better services to veterans, but my daily life isn't affected.
- My uncle has had some complaints about VA services—this might help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired Navy Officer (Charleston, South Carolina)
Age: 77 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any increase in oversight is beneficial, considering my past experiences.
- This could lead to fewer administrative errors at the VA.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Public Policy Specialist (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy enhances oversight significantly, a step needed for ages.
- I hope it sets a precedent for accountability in federal services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, Florida)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seems like a good policy for frequent VA users. I don't think it'll affect me much.
- If it leads to better service for those in need, I'm all for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Part-time HR consultant (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved oversight is critical for widow's benefits accountability.
- My financial situation won't change, but more oversight might prevent issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
College student (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not engaged with VA services yet, so this doesn't impact me now.
- Good to know for the future when I might need VA support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 2: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The temporary nature of the subpoena power, expiring in 2025, limits fiscal exposure over the long term.
- Subpoenas are limited to non-criminal proceedings, affecting the scope of their use and the associated costs.
- Coordination with DOJ in cases of objections can introduce procedural delays or complications, impacting the cost-effectiveness of oversight.