Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) recently sent a joint letter to President Barack Obama, urging him to nominate a permanent inspector general to oversee the Department of Veterans Affairs and help him look into numerous ongoing investigations of misconduct, mistreatment of veterans and retaliation against whistleblowers at the agency.

“Thousands of veterans across the country have suffered at the hands of corrupt VA bureaucrats, and only a permanent, thoughtful and aggressive inspector general can provide the answers they deserve,” Kirk said. “For too long the VA has gone unchecked. The president needs to appoint a permanent inspector general as soon as possible to provide consistency and accountability where there currently is none."

Recently, Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin suddenly retired, leaving the agency with another acting inspector general and no permanent replacement. The VA Office of Inspector General has not had a permanent inspector general since 2013.

“A permanent, independent leader of the VA OIG focused on protecting the health and rights of our country’s veterans is absolutely necessary if the VA is to move forward in a positive manner and resume capably meeting the needs of America’s veterans," Dent said. "President Obama needs to act with speed and deliberation by making a qualified nomination for a permanent Inspector General of the VA.”