# VA FOIA Reform Act of 2021

The Department of Veterans Affairs has a serious problem: it's drowning in information requests. When veterans, journalists, researchers, or anyone else asks the VA for documents or records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), they're supposed to get a response within a specific timeframe. But the VA has fallen way behind—there's a massive backlog of thousands of requests sitting unanswered. This bill tells the VA to fix it.

Here's what the bill requires: The VA has five years to catch up and start responding to FOIA requests on time. To make this happen, the department needs to create a detailed plan that includes upgrading its technology (especially for searching through emails and electronic files), streamlining how its employees handle these requests, and setting clear deadlines and goals along the way. The VA also has to ask an independent government office to assess whether they're actually following the law when it comes to FOIA requests.

The bill requires the VA to report back to Congress within six months with their plan, explaining what's causing the backlog and what resources or help they need. Then every year for five years, they have to submit progress reports showing whether they're actually meeting their goals. All of these reports get posted on the VA's website so the public can see how well they're doing. Essentially, this bill puts the VA on a deadline and makes them publicly accountable for clearing out the backlog of information requests that have been piling up.

VA FOIA Reform Act of 2021

Gallego, Ruben

VA FOIA Reform Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and implement a plan for reducing its backlog of requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The VA must request that the Office of Government Information Services of the National Archives and Records Administration conduct an assessment of the VA's compliance with FOIA. Finally, the VA must submit an annual report on its FOIA compliance efforts and make such reports available on its website.