Blumenthal Statement On Obama Decision To Assign Deputy Chief Of Staff To Oversee VA Department

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement after President Obama assigned his deputy chief of staff, Rob Nabors, to oversee the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as the agency attempts to address recent allegations of treatment delays and preventable deaths at a growing list of VA health facilities across the country:

“I welcome the President's significant intervention as a vital urgent step to investigate and correct serious claims of VA impropriety. It must be coupled immediately with additional aggressive steps to unravel and reveal any wrongdoing, remedy any damage, and restore trust and confidence in the VA health care system.  Our nation's heroes who have courageously risked their lives for our freedoms should not be put at risk by failing VA health facilities. They deserve the nation's best medical care, nothing less. The situation now – presenting serious pressing unanswered allegations and uncertainty – is intolerable."

Blumenthal serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Armed Services committees.