{"id":65827,"date":"2021-01-26T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/01\/26\/how-the-new-congress-and-the-biden-administration-can-restore-faith-in-the-va\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:23:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:23:22","slug":"how-the-new-congress-and-the-biden-administration-can-restore-faith-in-the-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2021\/01\/26\/how-the-new-congress-and-the-biden-administration-can-restore-faith-in-the-va\/","title":{"rendered":"How the new Congress and the Biden administration can restore faith in the VA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The last four years have been tumultuous for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In that time, the department responsible for serving our veterans has confronted a global pandemic, provided its Fourth Mission support to serve as our country\u2019s backup health-care system, and confronted natural disasters that tested VA\u2019s ability to continue caring for veterans during the public health emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the previous administration, VA targeted whistleblowers for retaliation, questioned and diminished survivors of sexual harassment and assault, expressed hostility towards organized labor, and obstructed Congress\u2019 oversight efforts. Despite these challenges and setbacks, it is with hope and optimism that I look forward to working with Secretary-designate Denis McDonough<\/a> to ensure VA is prepared to serve current and future generations of veterans. <\/p>\n\n\n\t