Senator Blumenthal Argues Against VA Inspector General Nominee Cheryl Mason

Role of Inspectors General

• 🎯 Inspectors General are crucial for rooting out waste and fraud, uncovering wrongdoing, and acting as fearlessly independent advocates of integrity.
• 💰 They are expected to be nonpartisan and above the political fray, saving taxpayer money and ending corruption.
• 🇺🇸 The role is vital for protecting the integrity of our democracy and serving the public.

Criticism of Cheryl Mason's Nomination

• ⚠️ Senator Blumenthal argues that Cheryl Mason is one of the most partisan and least independent nominees for Inspector General in recent years.
• 🏛️ She served on President Trump's transition team and as a senior advisor to Secretary Doug Collins, who is accused of dismantling the VA workforce and canceling contracts.
• 📉 Mason was a senior advisor during policies that led to the departure of thousands of public servants, including nurses and doctors, and the cancellation of critical contracts for veteran services.

Concerns About Independence and Evasiveness

• ❓ During a hearing, Mason was evasive and denied any role in freezes, firings, or contract eliminations, failing to provide specific information about her actions.
• 🚫 She refused to commit to investigating illegal employee terminations or condemn President Trump's illegal firing of her predecessor.
• ⚖️ Blumenthal asserts that Mason has a conflict of interest due to her previous role, compromising her ability to be an independent investigator.

Impact on Veterans and the VA

• 🎖️ Veterans rely on the Inspector General to vindicate justice for complaints about VA facilities, care, and compensation.
• 📉 An Inspector General who is not fearlessly independent, accountable, and transparent undermines the integrity of the VA and the trust of veterans.
• 👎 The confirmation of a political loyalist would diminish the credibility of the Office of Inspector General, and Blumenthal urges colleagues to vote no.

Predecessor's Success and Trump's Actions

• 📈 Mike Missile, the previous VA Inspector General, recovered over $37 billion and served with excellence under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
• 🚫 President Trump illegally fired 18 inspectors general, including Missile, without cause, which is contrary to statutory protections.
• 💸 These illegal firings deprived the government of opportunities to save money, end corruption, and protect democratic integrity.