VA secretary under investigation for taxpayer-funded Europe trip
November 11, 2017
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) inspector general launched a probe into Secretary David Shulkin’s July 10-day Europe trip. Shulkin was criticized for spending significant time on leisure activities like sightseeing and shopping during the taxpayer-funded trip to the United Kingdom and Denmark.
Shulkin made the trip so that he could attend a conference on veterans issues in London and meet with British and Danish officials. However, around half of the secretary’s itinerary consisted of attending a Wimbledon tennis match, taking a Thames River cruise and visiting historic sites with his wife.
The VA internal watchdog is reviewing the details of the trip. The investigation raises questions about government officials combining business with leisure during such trips. They can leave taxpayers bearing the burden of travel expenses.
Shulkin released a statement denying any wrongdoing and made his trip itinerary public. Details of all his official travel since January 20 were also posted on the VA website.
The statement on the VA website noted that the VA secretary has not traveled on a private plane to date. Shulkin has flown on government aircraft only when accompanying the president or vice president. According to VA press secretary Curt Cashour, his entire trip schedule was “reviewed and approved by [the] ethics counsel.”
“Veterans and taxpayers have a right to know about my official travel as secretary, and posting this information online for all to see will do just that,” Shulkin said in a statement. “Under this administration, VA is committed to becoming the most transparent organization in government.”