President Barack Obama said Wednesday that accountability is a top priority as investigations into reports of negligence and misconduct at Veterans Affairs facilities across the country commence. “I am going to make sure that there is accountability throughout the system after I get the full report,” said Obama during a May 21 press conference on veterans health care. When asked specifically whether Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki would be asked to resign over the ordeal, Obama did not rule it out. “Ric Shinseki, I think, serves this country because he cares deeply about veterans and he cares deeply about the mission. And I know that Ric’s attitude is if he does not think he can do a good job on this, and if he thinks he has let our veterans down, then I’m sure that he is not going to be interested in continuing to serve,” said Obama, who added that he wants to wait for the full report to determine “how systemic this is” before making any determinations. The President said wants to know the “full scope of this problem” so he can find the best solution veterans. (Obama transcript.)
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.