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Sen. Fischer: VA Secretary should resign

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska says she doesn’t think VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has done enough in the wake of misconduct allegations.

Alleged misconduct at the VA Medical Center in Phoenix may have led to the deaths of 40 veterans. During a news conference Wednesday, President Obama expressed confidence in Secretary Shinseki, and called for patience during the investigation.

Senator Fischer says Shinseki should resign.

"Although Nebraska has not been directly impacted, I’m deeply troubled by the drastic loss of confidence in this Secretary. Moreover, the resignation of Undersecretary of Health Robert Petzel, who was already scheduled to retire, that’s nothing more than an empty gesture of accountability. And so, after giving Secretary Shinseki time to act, I believe it’s now time for him to step down."

Fischer’s comments came Wednesday during her weekly conference call with Nebraska media.