The Department of VA must be reformed to ensure our veterans are put first and foremost.
Continue supporting reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs so veterans are put first and receive earned treatment and benefits.
Occurrences
Evidence
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies scheduled a budget hearing for the Department of Veterans Affairs on Thursday, May 21, 2026, with Secretary Doug Collins and VA management officials as witnesses.
The enacted public law states that it was passed to improve accountability of Department of Veterans Affairs employees and establish VA accountability and whistleblower protection provisions.
Assessments
A major VA accountability reform was enacted in Babin’s congressional term, which matches the substance of the promise to support VA reforms and put veterans first. However, the provided record does not show Babin’s direct sponsorship, leadership, or other material contribution, so this is better treated as partial credit rather than full attribution.
Babin materially supported VA reform measures while serving in Congress, including voting for the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which became law in 2017 and was aimed at improving VA accountability and service to veterans. He also cosponsored or backed related VA accountability and benefits measures. The promise is broad and continuing rather than tied to one specific reform, so enacted VA accountability legislation with his affirmative vote is enough to count as delivered in the same federal office term, even though later evidence shows ongoing VA oversight without a specific Babin action.