Letters

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), released a third letter he sent to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough regarding the Department failing to properly hold VA attorney Ms. Shekeba Morrad accountable for the video she posted online mocking Israelis who are asking for the return of hostages taken by Hamas terrorists.

“As I previously indicated, I find Ms. Morrad’s comments disgraceful. I am also shocked that following VA’s investigation VA decided not to discipline Ms. Morrad, instead deciding to counsel Ms. Morrad and make her complete harassment training,” Chairman Bost wrote in the latest letter. “If VA fails to meet this [April 19, 2024] deadline, I am prepared to resort to compulsory process to obtain the requested information.”  

Following Hamas’ horrific October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, antisemitic incidents have drastically increased throughout the United States, as such House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) joined Chairman Bost in calling on Secretary McDonough to release all documents to Congress related to VA’s internal investigation into Ms. Morrad’s conduct.

“The Biden Administration’s complete and total disinterest in appropriately disciplining Ms. Morrad’s antisemitic actions is unacceptable and I applaud Chairman Bost’s unwavering efforts to have the VA comply with the committee’s investigation,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

To read House Republicans first letter to VA on this topic, click here. For the second letter on this same topic, click here. For Chairman Bost and Chairwoman Stefanik’s prior joint statement following the Biden administration’s lack of any disciplinary action or accountability towards their antisemitic lawyer, click here.

Full text of the most recent letter the Chairman sent can be found here and below:

Dear Secretary McDonough:

Following Hamas’ horrific October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, antisemitic incidents have drastically increased throughout the United States. One such incident involved Ms. Shekeba Morrad, an attorney working for the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”), who recorded a video on social media where she made fun of Israelis who were asking for the return of hostages captured by Hamas. As I previously indicated, I find Ms. Morrad’s comments disgraceful. I am also shocked that following VA’s investigation VA decided not to discipline Ms. Morrad, instead deciding to counsel Ms. Morrad and make her complete harassment training.

I first raised my concerns with VA’s response to Ms. Morrad’s conduct in a December 13, 2023, letter. I raised similar concerns in a January 25, 2024, letter requesting VA provide all documents, evidence, and witness transcripts related to VA’s internal investigation into Ms. Morrad as well as an action plan outlining how OGC will address Ms. Morrad’s perceived biases, beyond simply having a supervisor approve her work. Disappointingly, when VA finally responded to the January 25 letter, two months late, not a single document was provided.

Despite VA’s insufficient responses, I appreciate your commitment during yesterday’s Committee hearing that you would immediately turn to this matter when you returned to the office. As such, I look forward to receiving the previously requested documents, evidence, witness transcripts, and OGC action plan by Friday, April 19, 2024. If VA fails to meet this deadline, I am prepared to resort to compulsory process to obtain the requested information.

When producing documents, do not alter them in any way, including but not limited to, the application of redactions or watermarks. Additionally, digital copies should be provided in a format that enables their printing and copying.

Sincerely,

MIKE BOST

Chairman

Cc:        The Honorable Mark Takano, Ranking Member

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