[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6084459,"mediaKeyId","2915483-c6160ab1c7c8b9411e46c311dacac443","parentId",2915483,"title","General counsel and CFO nominees face questions on legal compliance, audits and VA budget shortfall","audioSeconds",252,"startMs",2228000,"endMs",2480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2915483-c6160ab1c7c8b9411e46c311dacac443&start=2228&end=2480","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2915483-c6160ab1c7c8b9411e46c311dacac443/thumbnail_2228000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6084459/General-counsel-and-CFO-nominees-face-questions-on-legal-compliance-audits-and-VA-budget-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084459-0eab67e9639d08e59d79126da698dcb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916482&Signature=lkIdGc0b01xfnHHpCj4bkgYVtSi74m9sdA9WOb-ohvvYy5HSRzFSkpBqU9ypi6TlESx4u1-Edp~yN-3augzyj4-FLWsI4PDOYALSFzlHLgRcVczqEfYYAA7AaSxCH0iD78F731GdCGd2BpNU9Q59hoOokZG9g7vwj3s7gIPLXzCw74NDxtHAYcJghWpDghTHBdbczI5W3NW1eWxpMp2GIkpYU186q~VBL46wzDLJ8yhTNZkUWxXB8gSEScO6ypptZT6xBpss8sCM72qTdCNpmPGZTsvpzlnkiOcmffJB5I3DjqjdFChBl4HXHrx34-dtrwMLlLemJVj1W8wUlXBktw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","WASHINGTON

Lieutenant Colonel James Baer, nominated to be general counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Richard Topping, nominated for the department's chief financial officer, told the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs that they would follow the law and comply with court orders if confirmed.

Why it matters: The general counsel and CFO play central roles in advising the secretary on litigation, personnel actions, financial transparency and budget planning. Senators focused on whether the nominees would enable committee oversight, resist unlawful political pressure and correct financial and programmatic missteps identified by the VA inspector general.

Legal accountability and whistleblower protections: Baer repeatedly told the committee that courts must be obeyed and that he would not recommend disobeying court orders. When asked whether VA employees should be free to seek legal advice from the Office of General Counsel without political permission, Baer said he supported efficient, consistent communication and that whistleblower structures exist within VA for those concerns. He pledged that OGC should not be an impediment to the committee's oversight requests and that he would work to provide information in a timely fashion.

Financial oversight and past audit questions: Senators pressed Topping about a 2017 North Carolina program audit tied to Cardinal Innovations, where he served as CEO. Topping described the audit as politically motivated, said subsequent litigation was dismissed in his favor at some stages and said he won a defamation judgment. He told senators that independent financial audits of the organizations he led produced clean opinions and said he would bring financial reporting, forecasting and controls to the VA.

Budget shortfall and electronic health record: Senators also asked Topping to address the Veterans Health Administration's recent multibillion-dollar shortfall and the multi-billion-dollar electronic health record investment the VA has pursued for years. Topping said his priorities as CFO would be financial reporting, forecasting and building the right structure and tools to correct prior errors. He also pledged to review the EHR program and recommend whether to start, stop or continue components based on fiscal stewardship and mission needs.

Court orders and presidential directives: Multiple senators asked whether nominees would follow orders that might conflict with presidential directives. Each nominee said they would follow the law and court orders; Baer said, \"I as a military judge myself, I understand the importance of our courts in our constitutional system and the importance of following the constitution and the court's orders.\" Topping and Brown made similar commitments.

Other issues: Senators asked Baer about an executive order ending collective bargaining at the VA (ongoing litigation) and asked for a written opinion on legality; Baer declined to rule on active litigation in the hearing but offered to provide a written response. Topping committed to ensuring the VA meets financial commitments, including court-ordered obligations related to recent personnel litigation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hearing to Consider Pending Nominations: April 1, 2025 (Audio)","oneSentenceSummary","Lieutenant Colonel James Baer and Richard Topping described their service and pledged to follow the law and court orders. Senators pressed Baer on whether OGC would be an obstacle to oversight and asked Topping to explain a past state audit and litigation tied to his prior work and the VA's budgetary shortfall and EHR efforts.","taxTitle","Veterans Affairs: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",2000,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6084463,"Nominee Sam Brown emphasizes veterans-first focus for National Cemetery Administration",5278,702000,5980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2915483-c6160ab1c7c8b9411e46c311dacac443&start=702&end=5980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2915483-c6160ab1c7c8b9411e46c311dacac443/thumbnail_702000.jpg","/articles/6084463/Nominee-Sam-Brown-emphasizes-veterans-first-focus-for-National-Cemetery-Administration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084463-b3dea66dfdaf997526fe6a7576153ada/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916482&Signature=HrHHYbanDwN9Yfzh4YtsanB5eA40Dbo7m80Ms~UduJH30fwmL58a16pyGA0FDcWlGp82~VwikFTn8oXcHWHxvL2ZNlvBMBmIhvWKBbm4BBdKpKb87YANyXsHaxKGqHk~ZtunXgik2UA6t31ygQaIESrjwat3AVcMiTnboeEv4tXTQs0mtthz2WnYzRFZEl~GzIrD4c9T753fyI2HkfFA5gaxHPKlLKXMB9b9fd5LzBS-K~w8svolLrVcXSD3rTKm40p~Lpcw3kFg3IVUJ~TkJK~ILe1eCR15TerL5Uw1vzcrJkHY0AWK94W1hiuhAYmHRC~BkIDQYgRUgFrlx8jx~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WASHINGTON

Captain Sam Brown, the Trump administration's nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration (NCA), told the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs that he would place veterans and their families \"at the center of everything I lead\" if confirmed.

Why it matters: The NCA oversees burial and memorial services for veterans nationwide. Senators questioned how contract cancellations and proposed department-wide staffing changes could affect cemeteries, capacity and cemetery-expansion grants.

Brown summarized his background to the committee, describing his military service, combat injuries in Afghanistan and subsequent medical retirement, and said the VA has been his primary health-care provider for 13 years. He said the NCA's mission is \"sacred\" and that he understands its role in delivering \"a dignified burial and lasting memorial.\" He told senators his lived experience with the VA informs his commitment to the role.

Senators asked Brown to review recently canceled VA contracts that may affect service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). Brown, a former SDVOSB owner who said he provided critical services to the VA, said he does not yet know the details of each canceled contract and committed to review them and report back to the committee.

Capacity and grants: Senators from Indiana and Connecticut raised concerns about state veteran cemetery capacity. Brown acknowledged a backlog of about 60 expansion requests for state and national cemetery projects and said he would work with Congress on funding and prioritization if confirmed. He said local land-use and jurisdictional issues sometimes constrain expansion and that NCA would seek congressional appropriations to address the backlog.

Rural and tribal access: Senator Lisa Murkowski raised the subject of small, remote communities in Alaska and asked whether smaller plots or alternative grant structures could honor veterans in places with no nearby national cemetery. Brown said he would follow up with the senator to learn more about Alaska native communities and to explore options.

Nominee'commitments: Brown pledged to review SDVOSB impacts, to advocate for funding for cemetery expansions in coordination with Congress, and to protect the NCA mission from actions that could disrupt burials and memorial operations.

","Captain Sam Brown, nominated to be VA Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs, described his military service and personal connection to the VA and pledged to prioritize cemetery operations, expand burial access where needed and review contract cancellations affecting service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6084468,"Senate Veterans Affairs hearing focuses on nominees amid dispute over mass VA firings and transparency",5679,236000,5915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2915483-c6160ab1c7c8b9411e46c311dacac443&start=236&end=5915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2915483-c6160ab1c7c8b9411e46c311dacac443/thumbnail_236000.jpg","/articles/6084468/Senate-Veterans-Affairs-hearing-focuses-on-nominees-amid-dispute-over-mass-VA-firings-and-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6084468-b7374368343d1248f79ea2b8b31d7bf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916482&Signature=JIBTmraxp6ZaQWPgatXs5GCBWKGqx-GwaECThJREz42liiVv7JqNZcBUKRA5WnAcWs-L3tdJisczdzjXbmAjET9ZZu4uOw8kvMz38nxHuR2YtlUtSCHVX~EGCZx23XtgvbfpfR6ITzH5qlNQGAHPn1bxq6zsgX7dYyIuQzj6iki2vrZ8YSeCueFMtabxeyX2RGC5UJJyddNWIx0zVPsoij6KWU2g8cfvXe-NMcai7Iah7eZKPJvW6Y4nhue6sAREkgQUB00qEaBV5vZV115wN3LsfKAXrsWO5AglLrLMREXMC7vtiiOnctPnwrBagoqj5q4WFlWLFjJdJfU8EDhlEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WASHINGTON

The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs heard testimony Monday from three nominees to senior Department of Veterans Affairs posts as senators pressed them about the administration's plan to reduce the VA workforce by roughly 80,000'0,400 employees already dismissed'and about transparency, legal compliance and potential effects on veterans'access to care.

Why it matters: Senators said the scale and speed of the proposed reductions risk disrupting claims processing, appointment scheduling and other front-line services. Several senators placed holds on nominations until the department provides fuller public accounting and assurances about maintaining veterans'access to benefits and care.

The hearing introduced Captain Sam Brown, nominated for Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs; Lieutenant Colonel James Baer, nominated for VA general counsel; and Richard Topping, nominated for VA chief financial officer. Committee members repeatedly returned to department-wide staffing and contract actions initiated since the current administration took office.

\"He has failed to respond to our inquiries and questions,\" Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal said of the VA secretary, adding that the secretary \"has targeted 80,000 in addition to the 2,400 already fired among the VA workforce.\" Blumenthal said the committee will hold a \"shadow hearing\" to collect veterans'accounts of service impacts.

Several senators asked each nominee whether they would follow court orders and the law if confirmed. Lieutenant Colonel James Baer, the nominee for general counsel, said, \"Absolutely not, sir,\" when asked whether he would ever recommend disobeying a court order. Captain Richard Topping, the CFO nominee, and Captain Sam Brown likewise said they would follow the law and court orders.

Senator Patty Murray warned that \"a veteran who has to wait months for an appointment is a denial of benefits,\" and several colleagues said widespread firings would make the VA's people-intensive work harder to sustain.

Nominees'responses and limits: None of the three nominees claimed responsibility for the department's personnel decisions; each said they were not yet part of the department and would advise the secretary and follow legal requirements if confirmed. Baer emphasized that \"the office of general counsel [should not] be the impediment\" to committee oversight and pledged timely responses to legitimate requests from the committee.

Topping, who faced questions about his prior role at a health-care organization, defended his record and said litigation arising from a state audit had been resolved in his favor in lower courts; he told senators he would put veterans'interests first if confirmed. Brown, who currently receives VA care and runs a contractor that works with the VA, pledged that the National Cemetery Administration mission \"will never suffer\" under his leadership.

Committee process: Several senators said they would not consent to expedited unanimous confirmations until the department explains how it will choose employees for separation, which positions are exempted, and how it will prevent interruptions in care and benefit delivery. Senator Ruben Gallego said he will hold all VA nominees until the committee is satisfied that veterans will be held harmless through any staffing changes.

Context: Senators cited several related actions'contract cancellations, hiring freezes and early-separation offers'and pending litigation that, together, have created operational uncertainty. Members repeatedly urged nominees to be transparent with the committee and to provide written answers for the record.

Looking ahead: The committee intends to consider the nominations at a forthcoming executive session but several members said they intend to preserve holds pending public responses from the department on staffing plans, contract lists and assurances that veterans'access will be protected.

","Senate committee members questioned three Department of Veterans Affairs nominees about the department's recent workforce reductions, pending litigation and whether they would follow court orders and uphold the law. Nominees pledged to follow the law; several senators said more public detail is required before confirmations proceed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

General counsel and CFO nominees face questions on legal compliance, audits and VA budget shortfall

Nominee Sam Brown emphasizes veterans-first focus for National Cemetery Administration

Senate Veterans Affairs hearing focuses on nominees amid dispute over mass VA firings and transparency