WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today released the following statement after the committee approved the nomination of Michael J. Missal to be Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“With scandal after scandal plaguing the VA, the top priority of the Inspector General must be helping to hold bad actors at the VA accountable and ensuring the integrity of the agency taking care of our veterans,” said Isakson. “Now more than ever, there must be a strong working relationship between Congress and the Inspector General to conduct critical oversight of the VA. If confirmed, I look forward to closely working with Mr. Missal to root out the problems at the VA so that the agency can see true reform.”

The committee approved Missal’s nomination today during a business meeting held off the Senate floor. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs shares jurisdiction over this nomination, so it also must be considered by that committee before it advances to the full Senate for a vote on final confirmation.

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th Congress.

Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the military as well as more than 750,000 veterans.