WASHINGTON (AP) – Troubled by delays in handling of veterans claims, a bipartisan group of senators is seeking a wide-scale independent review of the Department of Veterans Affairs for mismanagement and changes to improve budgeting and speed up applications.
A report being released Wednesday by Sens. Dean Heller of Nevada and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania acknowledges recent efforts by the VA to reduce disability and pensions claims backlogs but says it’s not been enough. Pointing to the VA’s worst performers such as the Philadelphia regional office, the lawmakers plan to announce legislation that would require the Government Accountability Office to investigate all 56 regional offices.
It is the latest sign of congressional concern that recent findings of mismanagement at the Philadelphia VA might point to a broader, department-wide problem.