Congresswoman Mace Introduces Accountable Leadership For Veterans Act To Improve VA Care And Protect Taxpayer Dollars
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 16, 2025) — Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, introduced the Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act, legislation aimed at improving care for veterans by strengthening leadership accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Developed in coordination with the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the bill is part of a broader VA reform package designed to modernize the department, reduce delays in care, and ensure taxpayer dollars are directed where they matter most—serving veterans.
The Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act increases the allowable percentage of non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees at the VA from 5 percent to 10 percent, bringing the VA to the same standards as other federal agencies. This change gives VA leadership greater flexibility to fill critical management roles quickly and hold senior officials directly accountable for performance, and outcomes for veterans.
The bill also reforms the current, overly complex process for appointing the Under Secretary for Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits by requiring both positions simply be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. These reforms streamline the appointment process so these critical roles don’t sit vacant and ensure leaders overseeing veterans’ health care and benefits delivery are directly accountable.
“When veterans need care, every second counts, and VA leadership must be able to act without bureaucratic slowdowns,” said Congresswoman Mace. “This bill brings the VA in line with the rest of the executive branch by clarifying chains of command and ensuring leaders responsible for health care, benefits delivery, and modernization are accountable to appointed leadership. Veterans who served our nation with decisive action deserve a VA that can respond with equal urgency.”
House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Mike Bost praised the legislation as part of his comprehensive VA reauthorization strategy:
“Veterans have earned a system that works with them – not against them,” said Chairman Bost. “For far too long too many VA programs have gone unchecked and too many employees who don’t have VA’s core mission of serving veterans well in mind have flown under the radar. During the Biden administration we uncovered real problems that were directly impacting the delivery of care and services. The VA reauthorization strategy I am leading is to build on the changes Secretary Collins and the Trump administration are doing to right the ship and make VA programs work better.”
The Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act supports the Trump Administration’s efforts on making the VA more accountable while improving efficiency, oversight, and outcomes for veterans and taxpayers alike.
As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congresswoman Mace continues to advance reforms to put veterans first and ensure the VA delivers results worthy of those who served. The legislation builds on Congresswoman Mace’s record of delivering results for veterans, including her work to help approve the authorization of more than $30 million for a new VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Beaufort County, bringing critical health care services closer to home for nearly 17,000 Lowcountry veterans.
The full legislative text of the Accountable Leadership for Veterans Act can be found below:
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