Ayotte Statement on VA Inspector General Interim Report

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement regarding the findings of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General's (IG) interim report:

"The IG's interim findings confirm reports of systemic, gross misconduct at the VA, denying care to thousands of veterans at one facility alone while employees gamed the scheduling system. Such treatment of our veterans - who have served and sacrificed so much for our nation -- is shameful, and the administration's response so far has been totally inadequate. Fixing these serious problems must be the administration's highest priority - starting with new leadership at the VA. The Justice Department must also thoroughly investigate evidence of criminal conduct and prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law."

Senator Ayotte is cosponsoring the VA Management Accountability Act (S. 2013), which would make it easier to fire or demote senior VA employees based on performance. The House approved companion legislation last week by a vote of 390 to 33, and Senator Ayotte has called on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to immediately bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.

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