Congressman Carter, along with four other central Texas congressmen – Rep. Bill Flores, Rep. Michael McCaul, Rep. Blake Farenthold, and Rep. Roger Williams – called on President Obama to immediately instruct the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct an independent investigation into the criminal allegations at several central Texas Veteran Affairs (VA) facilities.

Congressman Carter has received numerous calls from Constituents with concerning reports of criminal mismanagement and deception at VA facilities. Specifically, allegations that VA employees are “cooking the books” to meet quotas for financial gain and that veterans are put on extensive secret waiting lists while they suffer in pain. Unfortunately, internal investigations by the VA’s Office of the Inspector General have proved to not be adequate enough to stop these appalling practices from continuing.

“The VA exists to provide exceptional care to the men and women who have served in our armed forces,” said Congressman Carter. “It is the government’s responsibility to provide America’s veterans with the utmost quality care, therefore we must gather the facts regarding these allegations and prosecute those who are found guilty of any criminal wrongdoing to the fullest extent.”

Today, the Department of Veteran Affairs issued a release stating that over 57,000 veterans have waited 90 days or more for their first VA medical appointments, and an additional 64,000 have yet to receive an appointment after enrolling and requesting them. 

“Following the latest release by the Department of Veteran Affairs it is even more clear why an independent investigation by the FBI is necessary,” said Congressman Carter. “Although the IG has been aggressively seeking answers for the numerous claims at VA facilities across Texas, I believe the FBI can properly investigate the alleged misconduct of our central Texas facilities. We owe a tremendous debt to our veterans in central Texas and across the Country, each has gone above and beyond the call of duty. It is time for the Administration and the Department of Veteran Affairs to do the same.”