U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, a combat veteran
Despite a tidal wave of protests about the lack of accountability in President Obama’s Veterans Administration, President Obama today re-affirmed his support for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. At a press conference, Obama described Shinseki as a “great soldier” and said Shinseki has “put his heart and soul into this thing.” That’s touching. Our nation’s veterans need less heart and soul and more accountability, which the Obama administration seems unwilling to provide.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman has been the leading voice demanding that Shinseki resign following appalling news of treatment delays at VA hospitals, some of which may have led to the deaths of veterans.
“Veterans are dying and this administration is making excuses,” said Coffman. “This is completely unacceptable. The American people expect accountability. Our veterans deserve nothing less than our best, for that is what they gave us.”
While this VA scandal is nationwide and has expanded to 26 hospitals, Colorado has had its share of VA scandals. Earlier this week, The Blaze reported that a whistleblower from a Fort Collins VA clinic was fired for refusing to cook the books on the wait times, but, then, offered her job back if she promised no more whistleblowing. And, who can brush aside the fact that the Aurora VA hospital is years behind schedule and $400 million over budget. The hospital has been promised to veterans for over 15 years.
Coffman has good reason to be an advocate for veterans. Coffman, who chairs the Veterans Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, is an Army and Marine Corps combat veteran himself. Our country must be in the biggest leadership vacuum in recent history. Obama won’t put his big boy pants on and hold his administration accountable for anything. Our veterans deserve better and Americans should expect more out of its leaders.