Blumenthal Statement on Trump Nominating Loyalist as VA's Top Watchdog Official
Blumenthal raises flag over nomination, stresses clear conflict of interest in nominating political official to independent oversight role
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement on President Trump’s nomination of a current Trump Administration senior political advisor to be the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General. Trump’s nominee—Cheryl Mason—currently serves as a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins. Inspectors General, per law, are intended to be independent, non-partisan watchdogs focused on rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse.
“A Trump political acolyte like Cheryl Mason is exactly the wrong choice to be the VA Inspector General— a role requiring nonpartisan, independent oversight. This nomination is especially problematic because Ms. Mason has been point person in muzzling VA workers and directing them to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements. As Special Advisor to Secretary Collins, she’s playing a leading role in slashing the VA workforce by 83,000. Veterans deserve an Inspector General who will conduct investigations free of interference and collusion from Collins and the Trump Administration. Otherwise, we will be putting veterans at even greater risk of corruption and abuse of power. Unfortunately, placing a loyalist like Ms. Mason in this role is all part of their playbook - eliminating accountability and transparency so they can continue their partisan dismantling of VA and its dedicated workforce.”
As a senior advisor for Collins, Mason has directed VA career employees working on the Administration’s plan to fire 83,000 employees and nominees to Senate confirmed positions to sign Non-Disclosure agreements.
The VA Inspector General is an independent, non-partisan position tasked with conducting oversight of the Department. In January, Trump illegally fired VA Inspector General Mike Missal, along with at least 18 other Inspector Generals, without providing legally-required written prior notice or reasoning to Congress. Missal served in the role since April 2016.
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