Says Veterans Have Suffered Tremendous Setbacks on Nicholson’s Watch
Washington, May 3 -
"Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today called on Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Secretary Jim Nicholson to resign amid reports that he approved a number of bonuses for senior VA personnel shortly after their faulty accounting practices resulted in a $1 billion shortfall for the Department.
“Our veterans have suffered tremendous setbacks on Secretary Nicholson’s watch,” Hare said. “After presiding over a $1 billion shortfall, a backlog of 600,000 disability cases, staffing shortages at Vet Centers, two security breaches that jeopardized the personal information of our veterans, and now, lavish bonuses to the very VA officials responsible for the whole mess, it is time to say enough is enough.”
According to the Associated Press, “the bonuses were awarded even after government investigators had determined the VA repeatedly miscalculated—if not deliberately misled taxpayers—with questionable methods used to justify Bush administration cuts to health care amid a burgeoning Iraq war.”
“Time and time again, Secretary Nicholson, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, opted to offer political spin instead of preparing for the inevitable influx of new veterans entering the system,” Hare said. “Veterans deserve a Secretary that will fight for them, not use his or her authority to advance an ideological agenda.”
Hare said that with tens of thousands of U.S. service members still deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the VA can no longer afford business as usual. “We must honor the brave men and women that serve our nation with more than just words,” Hare said. “For the health and well-being of every current and future veteran, Secretary Nicholson should step down immediately.”
Hare said he looks forward to working with Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and his colleagues on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to provide the resources and oversight necessary to ensure our veterans receive every benefit they deserve."
Question
Berta
http://hare.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle....ocumentID=64226
"Washington, May 3 ,2007
Contact: Tim Schlittner 202-225-5905
Hare Calls on VA Secretary to Resign
Says Veterans Have Suffered Tremendous Setbacks on Nicholson’s Watch
Washington, May 3 -
"Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today called on Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Secretary Jim Nicholson to resign amid reports that he approved a number of bonuses for senior VA personnel shortly after their faulty accounting practices resulted in a $1 billion shortfall for the Department.
“Our veterans have suffered tremendous setbacks on Secretary Nicholson’s watch,” Hare said. “After presiding over a $1 billion shortfall, a backlog of 600,000 disability cases, staffing shortages at Vet Centers, two security breaches that jeopardized the personal information of our veterans, and now, lavish bonuses to the very VA officials responsible for the whole mess, it is time to say enough is enough.”
According to the Associated Press, “the bonuses were awarded even after government investigators had determined the VA repeatedly miscalculated—if not deliberately misled taxpayers—with questionable methods used to justify Bush administration cuts to health care amid a burgeoning Iraq war.”
“Time and time again, Secretary Nicholson, a former chair of the Republican National Committee, opted to offer political spin instead of preparing for the inevitable influx of new veterans entering the system,” Hare said. “Veterans deserve a Secretary that will fight for them, not use his or her authority to advance an ideological agenda.”
Hare said that with tens of thousands of U.S. service members still deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the VA can no longer afford business as usual. “We must honor the brave men and women that serve our nation with more than just words,” Hare said. “For the health and well-being of every current and future veteran, Secretary Nicholson should step down immediately.”
Hare said he looks forward to working with Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) and his colleagues on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to provide the resources and oversight necessary to ensure our veterans receive every benefit they deserve."
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Top Posters For This Question
2
2
1
1
Popular Days
May 4
6
May 6
3
May 5
2
Top Posters For This Question
Pete53 2 posts
betrayed 2 posts
Berta 1 post
Lady Chance 1 post
Popular Days
May 4 2007
6 posts
May 6 2007
3 posts
May 5 2007
2 posts
10 answers to this question
Recommended Posts