GOP renews call for Shinseki resignation

Republicans took to Twitter on Wednesday to renew their call for Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to resign after an inspector general report confirmed allegations of secret wait lists that delayed veteran care.

The interim report released Wednesday also spurred a number of other Republicans to demand Shinseki’s resignation for the first time, including House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), as well as Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, who represent the state where the allegations started.

The chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), also called for the secretary to step down for the first time. 

After the release of today’s IG report, Chairman Miller is now calling for Sec. Shinseki’s resignation: http://t.co/oJ8D6EjAKl

— HouseVetAffairs (@HouseVetAffairs) May 28, 2014

On way to press conf w/ @SenJohnMcCain where I will call for Sec. Shinseki’s resignation.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) May 28, 2014

The interim report found that 1,700 veterans in Phoenix were not included on an official wait list, even though they had requested care. The average wait time in the clinic was 115 days. News reports have alleged that 40 veterans died while on secret wait list, though it is unclear if those deaths resulted from the long wait times. But the inspector general said determinations of the cause of death required further analysis.

Shinseki called the findings unacceptable.

While some Republicans called for Shinseki’s resignation, others said a criminal probe is now necessary.

Following IG report on #VA wait times, I am calling for criminal investigation into problems plaguing VA http://t.co/8F1X4Ms830

— Jackie Walorski (@RepWalorski) May 28, 2014

With secret wait lists confirmed at the #VA, can we expect a secret resignation of Sec. #Shinseki? #Shinanigans

— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) May 28, 2014

Leadership starts at the top. Sec. Shinseki should resign immediately after new report confirms VA care delays “systemic” #VAaccountability

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) May 28, 2014

I am calling for VA Secretary Shinseki’s resignation. http://t.co/WdVpUmDt50

— Dennis Ross (@RepDennisRoss) May 28, 2014

The IG report tells us info we already knew from a 2013 report. How many more studies is it going to take for this Admin to take action? #VA

— Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) May 28, 2014

A few Democrats also called the findings unacceptable, including Sen. Mark Udall (Colo.) who became the first Democratic Senator to ask for Shinseki to resign.

In light of IG report & systemic issues at @DeptVetAffairs, Sec. Shinseki must step down: http://t.co/7zfNxqQMZa

— Mark Udall (@MarkUdall) May 28, 2014

IG report on Phoenix VA reveals gross neglect of our veterans. VA should IMMEDIATELY implement all 4 recommendations. http://t.co/YTDyl2Ww9w

— Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) May 28, 2014

Secretary Shinseki should resign. 1,700 AZ vets are stuck on secret lists, waiting for care. Unconscionable. LISTEN: https://t.co/zmdtY0I7y2

— Kyrsten Sinema (@RepSinema) May 28, 2014

I am calling on Secretary Shinseki to resign. While the changes needed are much bigger than firing one person, this is the right start

— Rep. Scott Peters (@RepScottPeters) May 28, 2014

—This post has been updated.