American Legion Asks VA Secretary Eric Shinseki To Resign

By Carrie Jung
Published: Monday, May 5, 2014 - 5:55pm
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The American Legion is calling for the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. The statement was released by the veterans group on Monday.

The group is also demanding the resignations of Undersecretary for Health Robert Petzl and Undersecretary for Benefits Allison Hickey.

American Legion National Commander Daniel Dellinger says the high-level resignations are necessary to fix widespread issues within the VA, including allegations of fraudulent wait time records at the Phoenix VA medical center.  

"The existing leadership has exibited a pattern of bureaucratic incompetence failed leadership that has been amplified in recent weeks," said Dellinger. "There needs to be a change and that change needs to occur at the top."

Not everyone feels that way though. Both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans say they disagree with the request.

Arizona Senator Jeff Flake was not on board either.

"My position is let’s wait to see what these investigations turn up with regard to the Phoenix VA and some of the others," Flake said.

The Inspector General’s investigation into the Phoenix medical center is ongoing.