By Ben Kesling
WASHINGTON--The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs voted
Wednesday to unanimously endorse Robert McDonald, President Barack
Obama's nominee for secretary of the VA.
The 14 members of the committee met briefly on Wednesday in a
room near the Senate chamber to hold a quick vote on Mr. McDonald.
The endorsement clears the way for the full Senate to vote to
confirm Mr. McDonald's nomination.
"He is familiar with the military because he served for many
years, and he brings a passion to take care of our veterans," said
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt), chairman of the committee, in a
statement following the vote. "He has been the CEO of a major
American corporation, and that experience gives him the tools to
create a well-run and accountable VA."
Mr. McDonald, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy served as
an Army paratrooper, leaving the service as a Captain before
beginning a 33-year career at Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble
Co., including serving as that company's CEO from 2009 to 2011.
If confirmed, Mr. McDonald would take over the VA from Sloan
Gibson who has been the acting secretary since the resignation of
Eric Shinseki in late May. Mr. Shinseki resigned following a series
of reviews and investigations into widespread issues with veteran
access to health care and employee misconduct.
Mr. Sanders said he expects the Senate to confirm Mr. McDonald
within days, but that no vote has been scheduled.
Write to Ben Kesling at benjamin.kesling@wsj.com
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