Blumenthal Statement On Allegations Of Whistleblower Retaliation At VA

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement in response to a news report alleging that there has been widespread retaliation against whistleblowers at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health centers:

“These serious and widespread new allegations show, once again, that the VA is incapable of investigating itself, and that the Department of Justice should be leading the inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing. As Senator McCain and I urged early last week in a bipartisan letter signed by 19 other senators, DOJ needs to take a leadership role in this investigation to ensure that it’s impartial and transparent. There is a decades-long culture of cover up and intimidation at the VA that can only be resolved by an outside investigation. Veterans will never get the world-class care they deserve if whistleblowers and providers who treat them and schedule their appointments are at the mercy of a toxic work environment.”

Blumenthal is a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.