Togo D. West, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, has told the White House he intends to leave the department, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
But, officials at VA's Office of Public Affairs deny that West is leaving. "He has no plans to resign nor has he set a date or planned any action for his departure from this post," a VA spokeman said. As rumors circulate, one federal union is celebrating the potential of a new VA Secretary.
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Bobby L. Harnage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), commented on word that West might be leaving.
AFGE, which represents 125,000 VA employees, has criticized West for not securing adequate funding for the VA budget. If West resigns, the administration "has the opportunity to put in place a VA Secretary who has the best interest of America's veterans at heart-who will champion a budget that does not contract out services to the lowest bidder without regard for the promise of quality care," Harnage said.
West has also come under scrutiny for his use of travel funds, currently under investigation by the VA inspector general. West's rumored departure would leave the VA with two top vacant positions. Earlier this month, Undersecretary of Health Kenneth W. Kizer announced that he will be leaving the department at the end of his term.
According to the Post, West's vacancy would likely be filled by Deputy Secretary Hershel W. Gober, who was once a nominee for the Secretary position.
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