WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner (BAY’-nur) says he’s not ready to “join the chorus” calling for the ouster of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, over reports that 40 patients died at a VA hospital in Phoenix because of delayed treatment.
Boehner says there is a “systemic management issue throughout the VA that needs to be addressed.” The Ohio Republican says the House is working on legislation that would give head of the agency “more flexibility to fire people.”
Shinseki himself today seems determined to remain in the Cabinet. He told CBS that he takes every one of the allegations seriously, adding, “we’re going to go in and investigate.” He said he sent inspectors to Phoenix immediately when he learned of reports about the deaths.
The White House has voiced its support for Shinseki, even as the American Legion and some Republican senators call for his ouster.
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160-c-08-(House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, at news conference)-“VA are systemic”-House Speaker John Boehner says he doesn’t agree with calls for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to step aside. (8 May 2014)
< 161-a-17-(House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, at news conference)-“are looking for”-House Speaker John Boehner says replacing Shinseki won’t solve the problems at the VA. (8 May 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.