Amid VA Secretary Resignation, Local Politicians Call For More Action
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) -- Amid calls for resignation, the embattled Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) secretary did just that.
Eric Shinseki apologized in public and then resigned in the privacy of the White House on Friday.He was driven from office by a mushrooming scandal over the agency's health care system that serves millions of the nation's former warriors.
President Barack Obama said he accepted the resignation "with considerable regret."
Florida politicians' reactions were mixed but all came to the same call to action for Veteran Affairs.
Florida's junior senator Marco Rubio released a statement saying, "Secretary Shinseki's resignation is just the first step in addressing the institutional neglect of veterans at the VA, but that alone won't solve the problem.... The systemic mismanagement will continue unless we bring reform to the VA and hold all those who are responsible accountable."
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz weighed in Friday with a statement saying, "This isn't about one person and the change in leadership at the VA must be accompanied by the added resources needed to provide our veterans the care they deserve, particularly in the area of mental health."
Florida Governor Rick Scott said he would continue with his plans to sue the VA to allow state inspectors into the federal hospitals. He also released a statement saying, "Our goal is to improve the quality of care for veterans using these hospitals in Florida. In order to accomplish this goal, a big injection of transparency and accountability is needed."
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