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Lawmakers Say VA Needs Reforms After Shinseki Exit

General Eric Shinseki

Members of Arkansas' congressional delegation say the focus should now shift to reforming the nation's health care network for veterans after Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned over systemic problems within the VA.

Shinseki's resignation was announced Friday, after calls had grown from lawmakers for his ouster following an inspector general's report revealing treatment delays. Hours before the announcement, Republican Sen. John Boozman called for his departure.

Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor said Friday the VA needs to fix a "lack of integrity" in its system. Republican Rep. Tom Cotton, Pryor's challenger, called Shinseki's resignation an "overdue first step."

Cotton has criticized Pryor for not calling for Shinseki's ouster while Pryor has accused his rival of trying to politicize the VA's problems.

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