Rubio Named To House-Senate Committee On VA Reform Bill

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will now be part of the group working to fix issues with veterans healthcare.

Rubio was named to the House-Senate conference committee which will reconcile different versions of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reform legislation which was recently passed.

While he is not a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rubio was asked to be part of the conference committee due to his work in sponsoring the VA Management Accountability Act of 2014 which was passed by the House in May. It was also included in the Senate-passed VA reform legislation earlier this month.

The measure would give the VA secretary the authority to fire or demote VA Senior Executive Service or equivalent employees based on performance.

"The VA is in desperate need of reform and accountability, and I look forward to being part of this effort to resolve outstanding policy differences and produce a final law that starts making a real difference for our veterans," said Rubio in a statement. "I look forward to being a voice at the negotiating table for Florida's 2 million veterans, as well as all veterans across the country."

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