RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - The U.S House vote in favor of the VA Accountability Act of 2015 was overwhelming this week -- 256 to 170 -- but President Obama is threatening to veto the legislation that makes it easier to fire or demote Veterans Affairs Department employees for misconduct or poor performance.

Federal News Radio reports the legislation would allow for the reduction of grade or pay rate. An employee could appeal a firing or demotion.

"While VA supports authority permitting efficient removal of employees who have
engaged in misconduct, this bill will have unintended consequences," said a statement from the Obama administration. "It would make conditions of employment in VA significantly less attractive than in other Federal agencies or in the private sector, and as a result, would discourage outstanding VA employees from remaining in VA and dramatically impair VA’s ability to recruit top talent, including veterans."

The full statement can be found at  https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/114/saphr1994r_20150728.pdf.

The full bill can be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1994