U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, conducted a hearing to address mismanagement at the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). The session included testimonies from whistleblower and former Lead Auditor Brad Combs, former VCL responder Marcia Blane, and representatives from both the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the VA.
Senator Moran emphasized accountability within the department. "My expectation is Secretary Collins will hold accountable the individuals within the department who were responsible for both the mismanagement at the Veterans Crisis Line and any attempted cover-up of these troubling issues," he stated. He underscored the importance of the VCL as a vital resource for veterans facing immediate suicide risk, highlighting that it is essential for veterans and their families to trust this service.
The GAO's audit was initiated by Senator Moran in November 2023 following findings by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding VCL's failures before and after a veteran suicide. This request was also driven by disclosures from whistleblowers including Brad Combs. The audit, published on June 25, 2025, confirmed ongoing serious issues at VCL that had not been addressed.
