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"Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki has altered the charter of an independent board to research Gulf War Illness, cut its budget and limited the board's independence, according to a directive Shinseki signed last month.
"I have discussed these issues with the secretary and have directed the staff to implement a few actions regarding the committee," said Jose Riojas, Shinseki's interim chief of staff, in a May 16 letter to James Binns, the group's director. "In summary, I have directed that one-half of the members remain and one-half be replaced in accordance with VA policy," Riojas wrote.
Binns, Riojas wrote, is invited to remain as chairman of the board for one more year to "assist the transition process."
Rather than having an independent staff, the board's staff may now be provided by regular VA personnel. Before, the board oversaw those people.
Shinseki's directive is a retaliation for a 2012 no-confidence vote from the board to the VA and a March House hearing in which a whistle-blower testified that the VA intentionally misled the public about research that would lead to costly benefits for veterans, said Paul Sullivan, a former VA official who now works as a veterans' advocate.
Sullivan also wrote the legislation that created the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses.
"They are retaliating by firing the chair, removing half the members, and reducing the scope of the committee," Sullivan said. "Without a doubt, it is a complete gutting of the board."
The VA issued a statement, but did not address the committee's concerns:'
"Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki has altered the charter of an independent board to research Gulf War Illness, cut its budget and limited the board's independence, according to a directive Shinseki signed last month.
"I have discussed these issues with the secretary and have directed the staff to implement a few actions regarding the committee," said Jose Riojas, Shinseki's interim chief of staff, in a May 16 letter to James Binns, the group's director. "In summary, I have directed that one-half of the members remain and one-half be replaced in accordance with VA policy," Riojas wrote.
Binns, Riojas wrote, is invited to remain as chairman of the board for one more year to "assist the transition process."
Rather than having an independent staff, the board's staff may now be provided by regular VA personnel. Before, the board oversaw those people.
Shinseki's directive is a retaliation for a 2012 no-confidence vote from the board to the VA and a March House hearing in which a whistle-blower testified that the VA intentionally misled the public about research that would lead to costly benefits for veterans, said Paul Sullivan, a former VA official who now works as a veterans' advocate.
Sullivan also wrote the legislation that created the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses.
"They are retaliating by firing the chair, removing half the members, and reducing the scope of the committee," Sullivan said. "Without a doubt, it is a complete gutting of the board."
The VA issued a statement, but did not address the committee's concerns:'