Durbin Statment on the Confirmation of Robert McDonald to be VA Secretary

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate voted unanimously to confirm Robert McDonald to be Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“Bob McDonald is a veteran, a West Point grad, and he is from Arlington Heights, Illinois,” Durbin said. “I met with Bob soon after he was nominated for this position and there is no doubt he is eager to take on the task of seeing that the VA honors its promise to the men and women who served in our armed forces. He is the right person for this challenging job.”

In addition to confirming McDonald to lead the VA, this week the Senate is also prepared to consider a compromise veterans bill that will help repair the overwhelmed Veterans Health Administration. The proposal would address the need for short-term, emergency access to care while strengthening VA’s capacity to address veterans’ needs in the long term. Durbin spoke on the Senate Floor regarding the bipartisan legislation earlier today.

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate Floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate Floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin remarks on the Senate Floor is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition here and in standard definition here.

In addition to being the second-highest ranking member of the United States Senate, Durbin is the Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee which oversees funding for the military and intelligence communities, our national security requirements and the daily needs of over two million active duty and reserve servicemembers.

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