Peters Statement on Resignation of VA Secretary Shinseki

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Gary Peters released the following statement after Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned. Peters urged leaders in Congress and the Administration to maintain a focus on the real issue at stake -- the healthcare of our nation's veterans.

"America's men and women in uniform are the bravest in the world, and our focus should always be on honoring their service by providing them with the benefits they have earned through selfless sacrifice and a commitment to their country," Peters said. "I called for Secretary Shinseki to resign because I felt that the Department needed new leadership to bring the reform and accountability necessary to get back to the only thing that matters -- the healthcare of our nation's veterans. Our focus now needs to be on fixing these inexcusable problems and regaining the trust of our nation's veterans who deserve a functioning VA system worthy of their service and sacrifice."

The son of a World War II veteran, Peters served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for more than a decade, becoming a Seabee combat warfare specialist and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After 9/11, Peters volunteered to serve again.

Peters met with fellow Michigan veterans last week at a roundtable discussion at the Michigan Veterans Foundation in Detroit to hear about their experiences, challenges and their reaction to the reports about the VA medical crisis. Since reports of negligence surfaced two weeks ago, Peters has continuously demanded increased accountability and immediate action to ensure that no veterans' health or lives are currently in danger.

Last week Peters also voted in favor of the Veterans Affairs Management and Accountability Act, a measure to increase accountability at the VA by enhancing the Secretary's authority to rapidly remove employees of the Senior Executive Service, based on their performance, from government service when their actions warrant dismissal.

Following an Inspector General report revealing the scope of the VA medical crisis earlier this week, Peters called for Secretary Shinseki's resignation.

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