Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Democratic challenger to Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki should resign over the brewing scandal in his department.

“We owe a solemn obligation to our veterans and our government defaulted on that contract,” Grimes said in a statement. ”I don’t see how that breach of trust with our veterans can be repaired if the current leadership stays in place.”

Senator McConnell said earlier this month that a leadership change at the VA “might be a good thing,” but he stopped short of calling for Shinseki to step down. President Obama defended Shinseki on Wednesday and promised “accountability” following further investigation into allegations against the VA.