Following the resignation Friday morning of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, criticized President Barack Obama again for not doing more to solve problems surrounding the scheduling system and waiting lists at the Phoenix VA Health Care System.  

“[Shinseki’s] resignation, though, does not absolve the president of his responsibility to step in and make things right for our veterans,” Boehner said during a Friday afternoon news conference. “Business as usual cannot continue. And until the president outlines a vision and an effective plan for addressing the broad dysfunction at the VA, today’s announcement really changes nothing. One personnel change cannot be used as an excuse to paper over a systemic problem.”  

Pressure mounted throughout the week for Shinseki to step down, with more than 100 lawmakers calling for him to go by Friday. However, Boehner refuted the notion that politics led to his resignation.  

“I think there’s broad bipartisan concern about what’s happening at the VA and the treatment that’s being denied to our veterans.”