Daines Statement on Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Approval of Mcdonald Nomination

Press Release

Representative Steve Daines issued the following statement on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee's bipartisan and unanimous 14-0 vote to send Bob McDonald's nomination for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary to the full Senate:

"I'm encouraged to see all 14 members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee recognize Bob's leadership experience in the military and private sector. During my time working with Bob at Procter and Gamble, I saw a decisive leader with the ability to confront challenges head on, build consensus and implement solutions. These are qualities that will be essential to reforming the VA and reintroducing accountability so that the VA can better serve our nation's veterans. I urge the Senate to confirm Bob's nomination quickly so that he can begin the process of rebuilding public trust in the VA and implementing badly needed reforms that ensure our veterans receive the quality services and care they deserve."

Daines previously worked with McDonald to bring American products to international markets during his time with Procter and Gamble. McDonald later became the company's chief executive officer.

Yesterday, Daines sent a letter to President Obama expressing his support for McDonald's nomination.

Daines was among the first House members to call for VA Secretary Eric Shinseki's resignation and has long called for reforms to ensure that the VA more efficiently and effectively meets Montana veterans' needs.

He co-sponsored two provisions included in the VA reform package currently being considered by a House and Senate conference committee that would address veteran wait times, improve care and increase accountability at the VA by giving the Secretary more latitude to remove ineffective senior staff.

Daines recently helped introduce the bipartisan Clay Hunt SAV Act to help prevent veteran suicide and improve access and quality of mental health care available to the nation's veterans and returning service members

Source