{"id":75216,"date":"2023-04-26T17:08:20","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T17:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/04\/26\/va-gets-new-benefits-chief-after-two-years-of-waiting\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:57:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T14:57:29","slug":"va-gets-new-benefits-chief-after-two-years-of-waiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/veterans\/2023\/04\/26\/va-gets-new-benefits-chief-after-two-years-of-waiting\/","title":{"rendered":"VA gets new benefits chief after two years of waiting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Joshua Jacobs<\/a> as the next permanent head of Veterans Affairs\u2019 benefits operations<\/a>, filling the key department leadership post for the first time in more than two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 74-25 vote finalizing Jacobs\u2019 appointment came after a month of extra drama surrounding his nomination, with approval stalled by a key Republican over long-running disputes with the Biden administration\u2019s running of the department. It was just the latest in a series of nomination fights between party leaders that shows how heightened partisanship on Capitol Hill is delaying the business of government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacobs has served as the acting VA Under Secretary of Benefits<\/a> since last July, and received no significant criticism during his confirmation hearing earlier this year. But in a surprise move last month, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, <\/a>announced he would block Jacob\u2019s nomination \u201cbecause of VA\u2019s lack of transparency on critical issues and Mr. Jacobs\u2019 evasive answers on a number of my questions.\u201d The decision forced Senate leaders to schedule a full chamber vote instead of fast-tracking the confirmation approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\t