Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, said Friday that the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki does not fix widespread scheduling problems and delays in care across the VA.
“Today’s announcement really changes nothing,” Mr. Boehner told reporters. “One personnel change can not be used as an excuse to paper over system problem. Our veterans deserve better and we’ll hold the president accountable until he makes things right.”
President Obama announced Friday morning he had accepted Mr. Shinseki’s resignation after public and political pressure to step down drew too much attention away from the real problem of helping veterans.
Mr. Boehner called on the president to share his vision for fixing the veterans healthcare system and asked the Senate to take up the VA Management Accountability Act as soon as possible. The bill, which passed the House last week by a large bipartisan margin, would make it easier to fire senior VA officials who were not doing their jobs.
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.