Senator Carper Supports Unanimous Senate Confirmation of Robert McDonald as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate voted 97-0 to confirm Robert “Bob” McDonald as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Senator Carper met with Mr. McDonald earlier in the day to discuss the challenges veterans are facing in Delaware and across the country.

“Bob McDonald was a star student at West Point, served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, and spent 33 years in the private sector working around the globe focused on innovation and serving new customers. When I think of the background and skill set the next leader of the Department of Veterans Affairs should possess, I think of Bob McDonald. I was proud to join my colleagues in unanimously confirming Mr. McDonald, not only because I believe he’s up to the task, but because it also sends a message to our veterans that fixing the problems at the VA is a nonpartisan issue.

“Earlier today, I also had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. McDonald to discuss his background and some of the many challenges veterans are facing in Delaware and across the country. I can tell you firsthand that he’s a man with a deep sense of purpose who possesses a strong set of core values that he learned at West Point: Duty, Honor, Country. He’s committed to serving others and restoring the trust of veterans and taxpayers in the VA.

“The challenges facing veterans are not limited to the immediate crisis of too many veterans waiting too long to access the health care they need. Too many veterans are unemployed, too many veterans aren’t getting the most out of their G.I. Bill benefits, too many veterans are homeless, and too many veterans aren’t getting the mental health care they need after returning from the battlefield. Mr. McDonald understands these challenges and he’s committed to making a difference in the lives of veterans. I look forward to working with him on this priority issue.”

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