×

Dems, GOP must support new VA probe

We Americans disagree on many things. Not on our military veterans, however. There is virtual unanimity in the feeling that while we can never fully repay the debt we owe them, we ought to do our best in the attempt.

That has not happened for some time. Scandals involving the quality of health care provided by some Department of Veterans Affairs facilities are too well known to need repeated. The same can be said for the VA’s waste of hundreds of millions of dollars that could have gone to help veterans.

Now, after only about two years in office, VA Secretary David Shulkin is under fire. Reportedly, President Donald Trump, who appointed him, is losing patience with Shulkin.

Very public scandals about alleged ethics lapses by Shulkin appear to have cost him support in the White House. Among complaints is one that Shulkin took his wife along on a junket to Europe, at taxpayers’ expense. Other ethics issues have been raised by the VA’s inspector general.

So, what to do about the VA? Nothing, without a thorough, bipartisan investigation by Congress.

There are two possibilities. One is that Shulkin intends to keep his promises to reform the VA and has been targeted for removal by the vast federal bureaucracy — the swamp.

The other is that Shulkin, who held a high VA post under former President Obama, is part of the swamp. Ethics allegations make that a distinct possibility. If Shulkin sees nothing wrong with ripping off U.S. taxpayers for personal reasons, why would we trust him to treat our veterans right?

Members of Congress need to get the truth — not just about Shulkin, but about the VA bureaucracy’s ability, year in and year out, to dodge real reforms.

Getting to the bottom of this will take time, real bipartisanship and enormous effort. Is it possible for all that to come together in a Washington that seems more divided on party lines than ever in recent memory?

Let us not just hope so. Americans should demand it, on behalf of men and women who have earned it.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today