Cliff Owen/AP
A Running List of Everyone Who Wants VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to 'Move On'
Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed their disapproval.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki took to the opinion page of USA Today on Thursday to outline everything he's doing to fix the "reprehensible" scandal plaguing his department. It's a start, but probably not enough to stop the growing list of members of Congress calling for his head.
As soon as Wednesday's preliminary report from the VA's Office of Inspector General found that delayed medical care to veterans and cooked books is "systemic throughout" the nation's VA hospitals, many members of Congress who were on the fence quickly called for Shinseki to step down. Here's a list of every member of Congress calling for him to resign, or for President Obama to force him to resign.
Republicans
Sen. Richard Burr
Burr, the top Republican on the Senate Veterans Committee, drew the ire of several veterans groups when he criticized them for not calling for Shinseki's resignation.
Sen. John McCain
McCain was initially hesitant to call for Shinseki to step down until all the facts were in, but after the IG report confirmed concerns that the VA's problems are widespread, he reversed course on CNN Wednesday. “I have not called for it. I was going to wait until the hearing that’s going to take place here very soon," McCain said. "I haven’t said this before, but I think it’s time for General Shinseki to move on.”
Rep. Doug Lamborn
"If the Secretary knew about any of these atrocities, he should resign," Lamborn said according to The Washington Post.
Rep. Buck McKeon
McKeon is the House Armed Services Chairman.
Rep. Jeff Miller
Miller is the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman.
Democrats
Sen. Mark Begich
Begich will hold a press conference on Thursday, according to Politico. He's up for re-election this year.
Sen. Kay Hagan
Hagan was "outraged" by the findings of the IG report, and “in the interest of regaining the trust of our veterans, and implementing real and lasting reforms, I believe it is time for him to step aside and allow new leadership to take the helm at the VA to correct these failings immediately.” Hagan is seeking re-election this year.
Also running for re-election.
Sen. Mark Udall
Udall was the first Democratic Senator to call for Shinseki's resignation. He's seeking re-election this year.
Sen. John Walsh
In his statement, Walsh "the Senate's only Iraq War veteran," said "it is time for President Obama to remove Secretary Shinseki from office." Also up for re-election this year.
Rep. Ron Barber
Barber is a major target of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and called for Shinseki "to step down immediately."
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