Recent Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — 

Following the release today of the interim Veterans Affairs (VA) inspector general (IG) report, which concludes that misreporting veteran wait times is systemic throughout the Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) again called for a nationwide IG investigation of all VA medical facilities. Of the hundreds of VA facilities, 42 are currently being investigated. Thune has previously called for new leadership at the VA, including Secretary Shinseki.

“It is clear that the VA crisis is not an isolated incident, but a systemic and widespread management failure,” said Thune. “I am again calling on the president to immediately order a nationwide IG investigation into all of the facilities under the VA's control. In light of today’s report, it is also critical that the Department of Justice act on credible evidence of criminal or civil violations as it is uncovered during the investigation. In order to put an end to this scandal, we have to understand where and how many veterans have been impacted, and ensure that those who mistreated our heroes are held accountable.”

On May 12, 2014, Thune introduced legislation (S.2316) that would direct the VA IG to expand its current limited review to a nationwide investigation of veteran wait times.