Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this afternoon following the resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki:

"The management of our veterans' healthcare is not only a sacred trust, but a moral responsibility to the men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy today. The reports of gross mismanagement, neglect and utter incompetence at VA centers across the country is shameful and requires full accountability. While I respect the decision by Secretary Shinseki to resign amid these new revelations, the disasters facing our veterans and their healthcare remains and it must be improved immediately."

"For far too long, our veterans have been neglected and left to navigate the confusing and misguided bureaucracies within the VA system on their own. These are deep and pervasive problems that will not be solved by replacing a few leaders at the top - it will require a thorough review of how our government provides healthcare to our veterans and how officials can be pushed to promote excellence, accountability, innovation and efficiency. I will continue to fight on behalf of our veterans and work with our local VA hospitals to ensure these changes are being made. Those who sacrificed everything for our republic deserve the quality and competent care they earned."