United States Senate WASHINGTON, OC 20510 November 5, 2015 The Honorable Johnny Isakson Chairman Committee on Veterans Affairs 412 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 ‘The Honorable Ron Johnson Chairman ‘Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Chairman Isakson and Chairman Johnson: As you know, on October 5, the President nominated Michael Missal to fill the position of Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The nomination comes after nearly two long years in which the VA’s Office of Inspector General (O1G) was operating without a permanent IG to provide the leadership and oversight necessary to guide that office through critical and turbulent times at the VA. That is ultimately why we, along with many members of Congress, have pressed the President to act with urgency in filling that vacancy. And it is why wwe now urge you, as leaders of the two committees to which the nomination has been referred, to move forward on the nomination of Mr. Missal as expeditiously as possible. Scheduling a nomination hearing is the first-step in the process. At that hearing, Mr. Missal would have an opportunity to present his qualifications and credentials and discuss his plan for reassuring Congress and whistleblowers that the OIG is carrying out its investigations with the thoroughness, independence, and transparency veterans deserve and have eamed. Committee Members would then determine whether to move his nomination to the full Senate for its consideration, We appreciate your ongoing leadership, and thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, MPS © (Gano ‘Senator Jon Tester Senator Claire McCaskill Yheeted oo, Buse Senator ed Broun Brown Sengfor Tammy Baldwin