VA secretary nominee sails through confirmation hearing
By Ellen Mitchell - 01/27/21 07:04 PM EST Denis McDonough, President Biden’s pick to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, wants to get the nation’s veterans through the coronavirus pandemic starting day one, if confirmed.
“The president directed me to focus on getting out veterans through this pandemic,†McDonough said in his opening statement to the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee at his confirmation hearing.
The task is a daunting one as, if confirmed, McDonough would be responsible for the massive undertaking of administering COVID-19 vaccines to millions of veterans and VA employees across the country.
McDonough, a former White House chief of staff under President Obama, also vowed he would have a “relentless focus†on providing timely, top health care to veterans; ensuring they have access to VA benefits; reducing veteran suicide and homelessness; making the agency more inclusive for women, minority and LGBTQ veterans; and building trust.
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https://thehill.com/policy/defense/536218-va-secretary-nominee-sails-through-confirmation-hearing-faces-challenges-ahead
