Durbin: Premature To Call For Shinseki’s Ouster At VA

U.S Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says he is waiting to get all the facts before he decides where he stands on Eric Shinseki’s future as head of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Lawmakers on both side of the political aisle are calling on Shinseki to resign amid concerns over the quality of care given to veterans. Durbin said he met with Shinseki last week for about 45 minutes, and he believes it’s premature to call for his ouster

“Before there’s a hanging, let’s at least have a trial and let’s find out what happened and how much responsibility he bears,” Durbin said. “I think we owe it to him and to the VA to do that. And if it ends up that he is responsible for this, then he has to accept that responsibility and leave.”

An internal watchdog report released Wednesday found the V.A. hospital in Phoenix delayed care to veterans and manipulated records to cover it up. The interim report by the V.A.’s inspector general said the latest findings fit a pattern of problems at V.A. facilities since 2005.