GOP Calls for VA Head to Resign

Republican lawmakers are calling for the head of the Veterans Affairs department to step down, amid a series of scandals.

In Phoenix, the VA is accused of maintaining a secret list of patients awaiting medical care. As many as 40 veterans may have died from preventable causes of they were treated on time. In Colorado, the agency is being accused of developing a list of non-
existent patients who had received care.

Eric Shinseki is a retired four-star general who has led the agency since 2009.

Jerry Moran, Republican senator from Kansas, said, “Today I am demanding accountability and true transformation within the VA system in its culture from top to bottom and all across the country. Secretary Shinseki seemingly is unwilling or unable to do so, and change must be made at the top.”

The remark was made just one day after the American Legion issued a similar statement, calling for the resignation of the 71-year-old.

Senator John Cornyn of Texas, another Republican, stated that Shinseki’s time heading the agency has “come to an end.”

The Veterans of Foreign Affairs has not yet called for the official to step down. William Thien, VFW leader, stated it is “paramount that Secretary Shinseki get publicly in front of this immediately to address the valid concerns of veterans and their families, and to
re-establish the credibility of the entire VA health and benefits systems, and that of his own office.”

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/06/sen-moran-calls-for-va-secretary-

resignation-amid-mounting-scandals

http://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/GOP-Senate-leader-endorses-change-in-

VA-leadership-5457389.php

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-rt-us-usa-veterans-shinseki-

20140506,0,715304.story

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/eric-shinseki-va-medical-center-scandal-

106402.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pressure-increases-on-veterans-affairs-chief-eric-

shinseki-to-resign