An emotional Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) reluctantly called on Secretary of the V.A. Eric Shinseki to resign Wednesday on CNN.
McCain said the revelations contained in the latest IG report on the Phoenix VA necessitate FBI involvement to investigate possible criminal activity. The report found 1700 veterans were actually not placed on any wait list, secret or otherwise, and were thus at risk of receiving no care.
"I have never detected such anger on the part of all of our citizens, but most of all, amongst our veterans, as I'm feeling here while being back here in Arizona," McCain said.
"But you're stopping short, I want to be precise, from saying [...] Eric Shinseki should resign?" Blitzer asked.
"I think it's reached that point," McCain said. "I haven't said this before, but I think it's time for General Shinseki to -- to move on."
Full exchange:
WOLF BLITZER: But you're stopping short, I want to be precise, from saying the Secretary of Veterans Affairs General Eric Shinseki should resign?
JOHN MCCAIN: I think it's -- I think it's reached that point. I have not called for it. I was going to wait until the hearing that's going to take place here very soon. But this keeps piling up. And it can't be just an isolated -- the VA Phoenix VA is not an island. It's not immune to other influences. Every other VA is probably going to have these same influences on them because they were trying to comply with guidelines that were laid down from the headquarters of VA which they couldn't meet. That's what this whole waiting list stuff is all about. So I haven't said this before, but I think it's time for General Shinseki to -- to move on.