“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. 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.
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McDonough, a White House chief of staff under former 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.
Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., the Republican leader of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced his support Wednesday for Denis McDonough to become the next secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Black Veterans Empowerment Council (BVEC) have released an open letter urging the Biden–
Harris administration to appoint Black veterans to senior roles within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Those selected for VA leadership should be equipped with the cultural competencies and bureaucratic proficiencies to foster a culture of inclusivity and transparency from day one,” said
Victor LaGroon, Director of the Black Veterans Empowerment Council. “It is imperative that the Biden-Harris administration take full advantage of this unique political moment to redress long-standing harms done to the Black veteran community. BVEC looks to work collaboratively in support of these efforts.”
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Denis McDonough, President Biden's pick to head the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 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. If confirmed, McDonough would be.