JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Today, ahead of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough’s visit to Jacksonville on April 23, Senator Rick Scott released the following statement demanding action from the secretary following multiple calls for accountability from the VA system. Following a tragic homicide at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center last month, Senator Scott led his colleagues in calling on Secretary McDonough to take immediate action and hold the management team responsible for their systematic failures and make it abundantly clear that changes in leadership at the poorly-ranked hospital are necessary to ensure the welfare and protection of the patients and staff.

Senator Rick Scott said, “While I am very happy Florida will be home to another VA facility to provide services to the millions of veterans who call the Sunshine State home, I am once again demanding that the Biden administration and Secretary McDonough finally take action and hold themselves accountable for failures that are hurting our veterans. The homicide last month at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is tragic and unacceptable. While in Florida, Secretary McDonough must announce what the VA is doing to ensure this never happens again—so far, no one has been held accountable, and my office has been met with silence on the issue. That is unacceptable, and we need answers. As a Navy veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices made by our military members and their families. If you put your life on the line in defense of our freedoms, your government should always have your back. That's why I'm fighting every day as Florida's U.S. Senator, to hold the VA accountable and make Washington work for our veterans and service members.”

Read more about how Senator Scott is making Washington work for veterans by clicking his update HERE or above.

For veterans in need of help from the VA or a federal agency, visit Senator Scott’s website, www.rickscott.senate.gov, for casework assistance.

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