Ayotte Statement on Resignation of Secretary Shinseki

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today regarding President Obama's announcement that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki has resigned:

"While I appreciate Secretary Shinseki's service to our country, his resignation was a necessary step to allow new leadership to fix the gross systemic failures at the VA. President Obama's nominee to lead the department must bring action, transparency, and speed to the administration's response, which thus far has lacked the urgency our veterans deserve. The Senate will carefully and thoroughly review that nominee to ensure those qualities are met. As the administration's audit continues, those found responsible for negligence, fraud, or other misconduct must be held fully accountable, and the Senate must take up and pass legislation to make it easier to fire VA officials who have participated in wrongdoing. The VA must also immediately eliminate the waitlists by assisting veterans in seeking care at private health care facilities."

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