Congress is responsible to supervise and fund the Veterans Hospital-not the Army. Will Congress admit blame?

Question

The Army is responsible for Walter Reed hospital and Congress got on its high horse for that.Why not write your Representative and Senators to look in the mirror or get a real job the next election.

Answer 1

The Army has overall control over the hospital.

What has happened there is a crying shame. But a lot of military hospitals are substandard. The VA hospital I go to in Kansas City is outdated, too small, and in need of new leadership.

Our Vets should be treated a lot better.

Answer 2

Congress is responsible for funding the military, including the hospital. Look at the federal budget -- the money was allocated.

The hospital itself was under military control, which is why they had an Army General as the commanding officer of the facility. Congress does not directly control the military -- that's the job of the Executive Branch.

So, yes, "the Army is responsible for Walter Reed". The former commanding officer of the facility admitted that. Congress is now checking to see whether the money allocated under the budget was spent properly. So, they are doing their job.

Or did you miss the whole distinction between the jobs of the Legislative versus Executive branches?

Answer 3

The 110th Congress has been in session for only two months. The budget that the Walter Reed Veterans Hospital is run on was passed by the 109th Congress. Since the likes of Santorum, Hastert, and Delay have been replaced with the likes of Pelosi and Reid you can count on Congress looking into this mess and fixing it.

Answer 4

This is the 110the Congress. Can they be blamed for what the 107th 108th and 109th Congresses did or didn't do? Those three were, as we recall, the neocon lead do nothing Congresses, especially the 109th. The thing is just get it fixed. Blame whoever you want but get the problem fixed. It is deplorable no matter who was in charge or responsible.

Answer 5

It is only the job of Congress to provide the funding to support the hospital. It is not their job to inspect the hospital. They provided the funds, but those in charge did nothing to clean up the mess. The army/navy/marines & airforce should have been looking after the welfare of their men. they did nothing.

Answer 6

Its the VA beureaucracy . It is bloated and needs some good leaders. It has 350,000 employees perhaps they should look at what all those employees actually do.

Answer 7

Just look at it as a fine example of what national health care would be like.

Answer 8

Are you kidding me , no