Breaking News: Obama Reveals Nomination for New VA Secretary

This afternoon, President Obama nominated Bob McDonald as the next Secretary of the VA. If he is approved by the Senate, Mr. McDonald will take over former Secretary Eric Shinseki’s top spot at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

 

McDonald, 61, is a West Point graduate, finishing in the top 2% of his class. He served for 5 years in the Army, primarily as a Ranger in the 82^nd Airborne, and he is a life member of the U.S. Army Ranger Association. After leaving the Army, he worked for Proctor & Gamble (P&G) for 33 years—the last 4 years as Chief Executive. He retired from P&G in 2013.

 

Once he is confirmed by the Senate, McDonald will be responsible for taking a scandal-ridden VA and cleaning house, getting rid of corruption and poor performance. He will face an overwhelming task in trying to solve the many problems facing the VA at this time. Congressman Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said that the new secretary will have to “root out the culture of dishonesty and fraud that has taken hold within the department.”

 

Military and veterans groups are expressing hesitant support for McDonald at this time. While acknowledging that his business experience may be just what is needed to turn the VA around, they express concern that his military experience is relatively light, and that he may not be able to connect with our veterans who are younger and have experienced post 9/11 combat.