Two veterans groups joined the growing throng of representatives and senators calling for a halt to art spending by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) until a more transparent procurement process is put in place.
Concerned Veterans for America and Veterans for Common Sense backed Rep. Vern Buchanan’s call for “an immediate freeze on all artwork purchases made by the VA,” according to a press release.
“While veterans nationwide are struggling to receive basic health care, the VA is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on sculptures,” Dan Caldwell, vice president of policy and communications at Concerned Veterans for America, said in the statement. “The VA’s flawed priorities are actively hurting our veterans – on the backs of American taxpayers.”
Both groups commended Buchanan for his efforts to halt spending on artwork, and said the VA’s focus should be on ensuring veterans receive the best care.
“There are much more pressing needs and systemic problems at VA facilities around the country that need to be addressed before the VA spends millions of taxpayer dollars on lavish new artwork, including fixing VA’s suicide hotline so it can always provide immediate assistance,” said Anthony Hardie, director of Veterans for Common Sense.
More than 1.6 million veterans reside in Buchanan’s home state of Florida, and account for 12 percent of the population according to Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
“It’s disgraceful that the VA put money toward these purchases as veterans waited weeks, sometimes months, on end to see a doctor,” Buchanan said. “The VA’s repeated failure to provide veterans with urgently-needed care is unacceptable. The agency should focus on fulfilling its obligation to our nation’s veterans instead of buying fancy artwork.”
The department’s $115,600 contract with “art consultants” for the VA’s Palo Alto hospital, the $330,000 for glass-art installation and $21,500 for an artificial, 27-foot Christmas tree, augment Buchanan’s call for the freeze. (RELATED: Deadly, Scandal-Ridden VA Hospital Addresses Crisis With … Interior Designer)
Rep. Jeff Miller, also of Florida, threatened to subpoena VA Secretary Robert McDonald over the department’s art purchases earlier this month. (RELATED: Senator Tells VA To Stop ‘Extravagant Spending’ On High-End Art)
A spokesperson for the VA told The Daily Caller News Foundation that the department is developing a national policy for purchasing artwork. “While we must be stewards of taxpayer dollars, we also know that providing comprehensive health care for patients goes beyond just offering the most advanced medical treatments,” the spokesperson said.
The VA plans to continue purchasing artwork for veteran’s hospitals. “Artwork is one of the many facets that create a healing environment for our nation’s Veterans,” the spokesperson continued. “We want an atmosphere that welcomes them to VA facilities, shows them respect and appreciation, honors them for their service and sacrifice and exemplifies that this is a safe place for them to receive their care.”(RELATED: This Is How The VA’s ‘Extravagant’ Art Spending Once Helped A Veteran)
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