{"id":84385,"date":"2020-12-13T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-13T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/12\/13\/getting-the-va-secretary-nominee-right-for-veterans\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T08:23:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T08:23:02","slug":"getting-the-va-secretary-nominee-right-for-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/commentary\/2020\/12\/13\/getting-the-va-secretary-nominee-right-for-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting the VA secretary nominee right for veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Senate must confirm the right person to be secretary of the VA. The leader of the government\u2019s second-largest agency, with over 400,000 employees, is a complex job, but more important it is their responsibility to honor the nation\u2019s commitment to those who have sacrificed for the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President-elect Biden understands this responsibility. I know that there are few issues closer to his heart than our country\u2019s commitment to those who serve. It\u2019s personal for him. It\u2019s about looking out for their safety and welfare while they are abroad and when they come back home. We have witnessed it with his actions, heard it in the way he talks about his son<\/a>, and seen it with a list he holds pressed against his heart wherever he goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The president-elect has nominated Denis McDonough<\/a> for this important job. McDonough is an experienced leader who is capable of taking on this role. I worked with him when he was White House chief of staff and I know his passion and commitment to ensure our veterans and military families get the care they have earned.<\/p>\n\n\n\t