Senate Democrats facing tough races on Wednesday joined the growing chorus of veterans groups and lawmakers calling for Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign.
Sens. Mark Udall of Colorado, John Walsh of Montana and Kay Hagan of North Carolina said it’s time for Mr. Shinseki to step down, hours after the VA inspector general released a preliminary report on the Phoenix facility that detailed systemic issues of scheduling delays and data manipulation that left veterans without care.
Mr. Udall is facing a tough election in November, where GOP Rep. Cory Gardner is challenging him for his Senate seat.
Mr. Walsh, a combat veteran of the Iraq War, is also up for re-election in a typically red state.
“The inspector general’s report confirms the worst of the allegations against the VA and its failure to deliver timely care to veterans,” Mr. Walsh wrote in a statement. “It is time for President Obama to remove Secretary Shinseki from office.”
The race for Ms. Hagan’s seat has been talked about as one that could effect who controls the Senate in the next Congress, and analysts have said she’s distanced herself from the administration in recent months.
SEE ALSO: 1,700 vets not on official wait list at Phoenix VA facility, preliminary report finds
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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