Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on the Resignation of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki

Statement

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee released the following statement today after Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki announced that he would step down from his post:

"Secretary Eric Shinseki is a leader, a hero, and a public servant of great valor and great sacrifice. He has served our nation in uniform as an officer, a General, and Army Chief of Staff. He has served our men and women in uniform, and their families, as head of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He has dedicated his life and career to the security of our country and the well-being of our troops and veterans.

"Today, Secretary Shinseki took responsibility for problems at the VA and misconduct found at VHA facilities. He apologized to his fellow veterans and to the American people, and earlier today offered his resignation, which the President accepted. Secretary Shinseki served his country with honor for nearly 50 years. He did two tours of combat in Vietnam, rose to command the First Cavalry Division, and served as Army Chief of Staff. As Secretary at the VA, he has presided over record investments in our veterans, helped reduce veteran homelessness, and helped more than one million veterans, service members, and their families pursue their education under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

"Secretary Shinseki's commitment to our veterans is unquestioned. But as the Secretary said himself, the VA needs new leadership to address the problems in the agency and better serve our nation's veterans. The departure of Secretary Shinseki will not solve the systemic challenges within the VA and its medical facilities. It is up to all of us -- in Congress and in the Administration -- to review the facts, fix the problems, and improve our efforts to ensure veterans receive the care they need, when they need it.

"At a time when our newest veterans are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the President is committed to making progress on the most important issues affecting our veterans including healthcare and disability benefits, education, jobs, and issues specific to women veterans. But we have much more work to do. We must always uphold our solemn pledge: that just as the military leaves no soldier behind on the battlefield, we will leave no veteran behind when they come home. Secretary Shinseki kept that promise on the battlefield and at home."

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