Political figures are calling for further investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs scandal – even though President Obama and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki have vowed to investigate the allegations on their own.
Shinseki has tasked the Veterans Affairs Inspector General to investigate the agency after reports suggest that many facilities have secret “waiting lists” that are leading to long delays for veterans to get health care services.
However, some senators think that the Department of Justice should get involved, sending the F.B.I. to investigate the behavior as criminal, not just government bureaucracy gone awry.
That would put Attorney General Eric Holder in the position of overseeing an investigation of the Obama administration.
Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby is working with Chairman Barbara Mikulski to include specific language for adequate resources to conduct the investigation.
Other members of Congress have signaled that it would be a good idea to get federal law enforcement officials involved to ensure that the offending bureaucrats are punished severely.
In the House of Representatives, Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) has called for a criminal investigation after an interim report from the Inspector General’s office confirmed the alleged details of the scandal.
“Attorney General Eric Holder should launch a criminal investigation into VA’s widespread scheduling corruption, and VA Secretary Eric Shinseki should resign immediately,” he said.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) also suggested that the Department of Justice get involved during Sunday’s CBS Face the Nation show.
Appearing on the same program, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal agreed.