Hillary Clinton: Statement of Senator Clinton on the Resignation of Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson

July 17, 2007 -- “Secretary Jim Nicholson’s resignation from the Department of Veterans Affairs offers the President an opportunity to usher in new leadership at the Department.

It is my hope that the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs will serve as a true advocate for our veterans and champion the many challenges they face.

Article continues below...

It is time that we do much more to show our veterans – not just tell them – that we are grateful for their service to our country by providing guaranteed full funding for VA health care; smoothing the transition of service members out of the military and into the VA system; reducing the backlog of veterans’ benefits claims; eliminating the unfair prohibition on concurrent receipt of disability and retirement benefits; ensuring that our veterans have access to the care needed to address traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder; and significantly expanding GI Bill education, housing and entrepreneurial benefits that are commensurate with the sacrifice they have made on our behalf.”

Source: Senator Hillary Clinton