Benjamin Krause | DisabledVeterans.org
Sen. Chuck Grassley accused the newest VA Undersecretary for Benefits nominee of giving “evasive answers” on a number of agency corruption questions.
Joshua Jacobs is the newest nominee running into delays. At the core of the current delay is a denial Jacobs provided Sen. Grassley that appears evasive at best.
Grassley wanted to know what role if any Jacobs played in VA (not) timely answering inquiries from Sen. Grassley’s office about corruption. Jacobs denied “any” involvement in the agency’s response to Sen. Grassley’s inquiries into agency misconduct, but an email he sent in 2021 suggests there is more to the story.
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As an example, Sen. Grassley’s publication of the answers yesterday listed numerous questions. The entire list of 9 questions and answers are at the bottom of this article, but #5 contained information that seems to have concerned Sen. Grassley the most.
Jacobs told the Senate he “did not play any role” in the agency’s responses to Grassley’s inquiries.
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But the omission may not stop Jacobs’ possible bi-partisan confirmation.
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Joshua Jacobs, the nominee for Under Secretary for Benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs, appears to be on track to secure his nomination vote. But, many questions need answers before his nomination proceeds.
Empower Oversight Founder and Chair Jason Foster laid out some of the most pressing questions facing Jacobs, from sexual harassment allegations in his department to questions about his knowledge of rampant whistleblower retaliation.
Foster also delved into Jacobs’ alleged role in the VA’s stonewalling of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
Finally, Foster called on Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to shed some light on answers that may have been provided from Jacobs that aren’t part of the public record, noting that senators need more answers before a final vote on Jacobs’ nomination takes place.
If you have first-hand information you’d like to disclose to assist Empower Oversight with these inquiries, please contact us confidentially here.