Travel Scandal Just Latest Spark In Fiery Infighting Between VA Secretary’s Supporters, Opponents
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, the only holdover from the Obama administration, thinks he's being forced out by political rivals. Shulkin has come under fire this week for a European visit last summer that used taxpayer dollars for his wife's travel. The secretary has promised to reimburse the government for the amount.
The New York Times:
Intrigue At V.A. As Secretary Says He Is Being Forced Out
The secretary of veterans affairs, David J. Shulkin, for a year enjoyed rare bipartisan support in Washington as he reformed his department, but now officials in the Trump administration are trying to replace him. An email sent in December by Jake Leinenkugel, the White House senior adviser on veterans affairs, expressed frustration with Dr. Shulkin and listed ways to topple the leadership of his department once key legislation was passed. (Philipps and Fandos, 2/15)
Politico:
Lawmakers Give VA Secretary A Pass On Travel Scandal
House Veterans Affairs Committee members largely gave VA Secretary David Shulkin a pass over a scathing inspector general's report on his visit to Europe last summer after Shulkin promised to repay the VA for his wife's airfare and other trip expenses. At a hearing on the administration's $198 billion VA budget proposal, members on both sides tut-tutted over the $122,000 cost of the trip but treated it as a distraction that they urged Shulkin to clear away so he could deal with substantial problems like paying for veterans care by community providers, EHR modernization, unused VA assets and streamlining benefit appeals. (Allen, 2/15)
The Wall Street Journal:
VA Secretary Says He’ll Reimburse U.S. For Disputed European Travel Costs
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin said Thursday he would reimburse the U.S. government for costs associated with a trip to Europe that was the subject of a critical internal-watchdog report, and added that he wouldn’t resign. Dr. Shulkin told reporters that he would pay back the government for his wife’s travel costs for the summer 2017 trip to Copenhagen and London and make a contribution to the U.S. treasury equal to the cost of tickets to the Wimbledon tennis tournament in July. (Nicholas, 2/15)
In other ethics concerns raised about the Trump administration —
The Hill:
Top Dems Seeks Answers From HHS On Ethics Lapses
A top House Democrat wants answers from the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about how he plans to combat repeated ethical lapses throughout the agency. In a letter, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) asked HHS Secretary Alex Azar to commit to “performing a top-down review of HHS and each of its operating divisions to determine the extent to which the Department is abiding by all applicable federal ethical regulations and policies.” (Weixel, 2/15)
