ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement on Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki's decision to step down.
"Secretary Shinseki made the right decision today. I have enormous respect for him and his service, but the seriousness of the mismanagement and culture of deception at VA facilities is unacceptable and a betrayal of our veterans in New Mexico and nationwide. The only way to restore accountability, transparency and effective management at the VA is with a change in leadership. President Obama must act quickly to nominate a new secretary, one who will effectively and decisively address the issues plaguing the VA and ensure veterans from New Mexico and across the nation get the care they have earned."
