{"id":67359,"date":"2021-02-09T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/02\/09\/new-va-secretary-promises-unity-around-work-to-reform-veterans-programs\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:20:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:20:04","slug":"new-va-secretary-promises-unity-around-work-to-reform-veterans-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/veterans\/2021\/02\/09\/new-va-secretary-promises-unity-around-work-to-reform-veterans-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"New VA secretary promises unity around work to reform veterans programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In his first message to veterans and department staff since his confirmation, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough <\/a>promised to base all of his decisions around \u201cwhether it increases veterans\u2019 access to care and benefits and improves outcomes for them\u201d as he takes on the task of reforming the massive federal bureaucracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this moment when our country must come together, caring for you, our country\u2019s veterans and your families, is a mission that can unite us all,\u201d McDonough said in a statement shortly after he was sworn into office Tuesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe president has called on every American to embrace our responsibility to support our veterans and their families. So this administration will work with other federal departments and agencies \u2026 and with other state and local organizations, both public and private, who have the best interests of veterans and their families at heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McDonough, who served as chief of staff under President Barack Obama, is only the second non-veteran to be confirmed to VA\u2019s top leadership role. The Senate voted 87-7<\/a> on Monday in favor of his nomination, and Vice President Kamala Harris formally swore him into office less than 18 hours later. <\/p>\n\n\n\t