Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021

To provide the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs testimonial subpoena authority, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021 2. Testimonial subpoena authority of the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In general Section 312 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) (1) (A) In addition to the authority otherwise provided by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) and in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, the Inspector General, in carrying out the provisions of this section, may require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses as necessary in the performance of the functions assigned to the Inspector General by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) and this section, which in the case of contumacy or refusal to obey, such subpoena shall be enforceable by order of any appropriate district court of the United States. (B) The Inspector General may not require by subpoena the attendance and testimony under subparagraph (A) of— (i) any current Federal employee; or (ii) any witness as part of any criminal proceeding. (2) The authority to issue a subpoena under paragraph (1) may not be delegated. (3) (A) The Inspector General shall notify the Attorney General of the intent to issue a subpoena under paragraph (1). (B) Not later than 10 days after the date on which the Attorney General is notified pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Attorney General may object in writing to the issuance of the subpoena if the subpoena will interfere with an ongoing investigation and, if the Attorney General makes such an objection, the Inspector General may not issue the subpoena. (C) If the Attorney General does not object in writing to the issuance of the subpoena during the 10-day period described in subparagraph (B), the Inspector General may issue the subpoena. (4) Before requiring by subpoena under paragraph (1) the attendance and testimony of a witness, the Inspector General shall, to the degree practicable— (A) notify the witness of the intent of the Inspector General to issue the subpoena; and (B) provide the witness an opportunity to attend and testify voluntarily. (5) Whenever requiring by subpoena under paragraph (1) the attendance and testimony of a witness, the Inspector General shall, to the greatest extent practicable, travel to residence of the witness, the principal place of business of the witness, or other similar location that is in proximity to the residence of the witness. (6) (A) Along with each semiannual report submitted by the Inspector General pursuant to section 5(b) 5 U.S.C. App. 5(b) (B) Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include, for the most recently completed six-month period, the following: (i) The number of testimonial subpoenas issued and the number of individuals interviewed pursuant to such subpoenas. (ii) The number of proposed testimonial subpoenas with respect to which the Attorney General objected under paragraph (3)(B). (iii) A discussion of any challenges or concerns that the Inspector General has encountered exercising the authority provided by paragraph (1). (iv) Such other matters as the Inspector General considers appropriate. . (b) Effective date (1) In general Subsection (d) of section 312 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Semiannual report Paragraph (6) of subsection (d) of such section, as so added, shall apply beginning on the date that is seven months after the first day of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021 This bill gives the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) the authority to subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses as necessary to carry out the duties of the office. The bill prohibits the VA OIG from subpoenaing the attendance and testimony of current federal employees or witnesses as part of any criminal proceeding. Under the bill, the VA OIG must notify the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the intended witness of the intent to issue a subpoena. If DOJ objects to the subpoena because it will interfere with an ongoing investigation, the VA OIG may not issue the subpoena.