After calls from Republican and Democratic legislators, Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki stepped down following the scandal over medical center management.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) released a statement about the resignation:
This past weekend we recognized the service and sacrifice of those military men and women who laid down their lives in the defense of our nation. Our gratitude for our surviving veterans should be no less.
The shameful scandal engulfing the VA regarding the treatment of those it is tasked to care for is a national disgrace, complete with an unconscionable failure of leadership at the highest level. While removing those at the top will not solve the systemic problems facing the agency, there must be accountability – not only on behalf of our veterans, but on behalf of all Americans.
Because of that, I believe VA Secretary Shinseki made the correct decision to step aside and resign – the first step toward enabling new leadership with a fresh perspective to address the issues which plague this agency.
There is much work to be done in reforming the VA to be more responsive and accountable, and I will continue to work with members of both parties to advance solutions that ensure our veterans the benefits, care and respect they deserve from a grateful nation.
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Shinseki’s resignation was announced Friday by President Barack Obama during a news conference. The move came as work to restructure the Department of Veterans Affairs had begun. Reports say veterans have died due to long wait times at Veterans Affairs Hospitals across the country.
Fitzpatrick, according to his office, called for call for increased accountability over the Veterans Affairs Administration last week. He joined other members of the House of Representatives to passing the bipartisan Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act [H.R. 4031].
