{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2024/12/issues/veterans/blackburn-demands-accountability-from-secretary-mcdonough-on-mountain-home-va-scandal", "Blackburn Demands Accountability from Secretary McDonough on Mountain Home VA Scandal", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "TN", "Marsha Blackburn", "B001243", "www.blackburn.senate.gov", "blackburn", "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough regarding the disturbing reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and inappropriate workplace conduct involving multiple employees at the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).\n\nSenator Blackburn requested an update on the status of the ongoing investigation, how many allegations have been made against the Mountain Home VAMC in recent years, what corrective actions will be taken, and how many employees have been terminated or reassigned as a result of the investigation.\n\nMountain Home VAMC Is Subject of Ongoing Investigation on Reports of Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Inappropriate Workplace Conduct\n\n\u201cI write to inquire about the ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct at the James H. Quillen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Mountain Home VAMC) in Johnson City, Tennessee. As you know, your staff briefed me regarding disturbing reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and inappropriate workplace conduct involving multiple employees at the Mountain Home VAMC.\u201d\n\nSuch Disgusting Misconduct Should Never Have Been Allowed to Occur\n\n\u201cIt is beyond reprehensible that no individual has been held meaningfully accountable for their actions. Equally troubling are the leadership and oversight failures that may have allowed such misconduct to occur. The absence of clear answers, coupled with media reports, has caused unnecessary distress among the Mountain Home veteran community. The VA must act urgently to address these concerns. Transparency and accountability are not optional\u2014they are essential to restoring trust and ensuring my constituents feel that they can expect this facility to provide them with the highest standard of care.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2024/12/issues/veterans/blackburn-demands-accountability-from-secretary-mcdonough-on-mountain-home-va-scandal"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6185441054403782, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}