Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) released the following statement on today’s announcement on the Department of Veterans Affairs naming Deborah Amdur as the permanent Director of the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (PVAHCS).

“I am encouraged to see that the Department of Veterans Affairs has found a permanent replacement as the Director of the Phoenix VA Healthcare System. This action was long overdue, but sends the message that steps are being taken to improve accountability and leadership at the Phoenix VA,” said Flake.

Background: Sept. 2014, Flake along with the Arizona delegation sent a letter to the Secretary of the VA Robert McDonald urging the VA to expedite the appointment of a permanent director of PVAHCS after there had been several interim directors due to a federal regulation that typically only allows for interim directors to serve in 120-day increments.  

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