Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, June 5, 2017. Shulkin said Monday the department will be overhauling its electronic health records, adopting a commercial product used by the Pentagon that he hopes will improve care for veterans and reduce wait times for medical appointments.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the Senate's vote on a VA accountability bill (all times local):

5:35 p.m.

The Senate has passed legislation to make it easier for the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire its employees. It's an effort touted by President Donald Trump to hold the VA accountable after years of problems.

The measure passed by voice vote.

The bipartisan bill would lower the burden of proof required to dismiss VA employees.

The Senate bill was viewed as more in balance with workers' rights than a version that passed the House in March. The Senate bill calls for a longer appeal process than the House version: 180 days compared to 45 days. VA executives would be held to a tougher standard than rank-and-file employees.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/medical/article/The-Latest-Senate-votes-to-give-VA-more-firing-11200501.php