Veterans Deserve Accountability, New Leadership

Statement

Former Arkansas House Majority Leader and Fourth District Congressional Candidate Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) today issued the following statement calling for a thorough investigation of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the resignation of Secretary Eric Shinseki and the immediate passage into law of bills promoting greater accountability at the VA and private care options for veterans waiting over 30 days for treatment:

"The motto of the VA are the words of Abraham Lincoln: 'To care for him who shall have borne the battle... .' Sadly, this has not taken place. Secretary Shinseki should take a first step toward restoring faith among those who have served and their families by resigning his position immediately.

"I also call for immediate Senate passage of H.R. 4031, the Department of Veterans Affairs Management Accountability Act of 2014, so that it may go before the President for his signature, as well as the passage of legislation to codify the recent VA decision to allow veterans to seek treatment at private health care facilities if they have been waiting longer than 30 days at a VA facility. Furthermore, Congress should exercise its oversight duties vigorously in order to root out the systemic problems currently existing at the VA."

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