Rep. Mimi Walters Renews Call For Answers On VA Misconduct

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mimi Walters (CA-45) today released the following statement after a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that of 180 newly enrolled veterans, nearly half of them were unable to access primary care because bureaucrats at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) did not schedule appointments for them in accordance with Veterans Health Administration policy:

“I am horrified by the scandals that have taken place at the VA, and I am outraged that nearly two years later our veterans are still not receiving the care they have earned.  These brave men and women have risked life and limb to serve our nation, and they deserve the highest quality care.  While the VA continues to fail our veterans, the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to obstruct legitimate congressional oversight of the VA.  Clearly, the VA is broken, and I will not stand by idly while our veterans continue to suffer as the VA and DOJ play political games and protect agency bureaucrats.  The DOJ must stop its egregious stonewalling and provide Congress with information related to their investigations.   I will continue to fight for justice to ensure our veterans receive the answers and care they deserve.”

Background

• On November 17, 2015, Rep. Walters questioned Attorney General Loretta Lynch during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the DOJ’s investigations into the VA, but AG Lynch insisted that DOJ’s Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) would provide information to her office.
• On December 16, 2015, OLA broke that promise by refusing to answer the questions posed by Rep. Walters at the November 17th hearing and failed to provide any information related to the DOJ’s investigations
• The following day, Rep. Walters sent this letter to AG Lynch, again demanding answers regarding the DOJ’s investigations into the various scandals plaguing the VA.
• You may read the GAO’s report in its entirety here.  

Walters represents California’s 45th District and sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees.

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