Washington, D.C. - Congressman Joe Donnelly issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson, has tendered his resignation to President Bush effective no later than October 1st, 2007.
“I thank Secretary Nicholson for his service to his country. As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I am working to ensure that the federal government keeps its promises to those who have served and sacrificed in uniform. The president has an opportunity to appoint an individual who will prioritize reducing the backlog of claims, improving care for those veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and investing in VA facilities and personnel.
“I hope the incoming secretary does not become a prisoner of a bureaucracy that has, at times, worsened the backlog of claims and frustrated reforms aimed at improving veterans health. Our next secretary will be successful and have my unending support if he or she always puts veterans first.
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