Statement by American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm on VA mismanagement and the Denver VA construction project:

May 15, 2015

Statement by American Legion National Commander Michael D. Helm on VA mismanagement and the Denver VA construction project:

“The utter lack of accountability that characterizes VA’s management culture is staggering in its persistence. The latest accusation, that the department is illegally spending about $6 billion per year of taxpayers’ money, illustrates yet again Secretary McDonald’s failure to eliminate abuse among his executives.

“That being said, we cannot in good conscience link VA mismanagement to the well-being of our veterans in Colorado. The Denver hospital project may be the worst federal construction disaster in recent memory, but that fault lies with VA, not the veterans who still need care. If construction is halted by another work stoppage, the project may be irretrievably lost.

“The American Legion understands the frustration and anger generated nationwide by myriad failures of VA leadership and how it has squandered the trust of America’s veterans. But we cannot hold Colorado’s veterans accountable for a disaster they did not create – we need to ensure that the Denver hospital does not founder. VA and Congress must find a way to see this project through.”

 

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