[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 23 (Monday, February 8, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONFIRMATION OF DENIS RICHARD McDONOUGH

 Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I would like to speak in support 
of confirming Denis McDonough to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Mr. 
McDonough has demonstrated his dedication to public service over the 
last 25 years and has assured me that he will bring that same 
dedication to the Department of Veterans Affairs in its mission to 
serve our veterans.
  He has experience leading and implementing policy across the Federal 
Government and has earned a reputation for being able to make 
government work better. Although he is not a veteran, he has made his 
case that he is personally devoted to serving veterans and seeing them 
achieve success, and it is my belief that he is sincere in that 
assertion.
  Mr. McDonough testified that he appreciates the clear roles of 
Congress in passing law and of the executive branch in executing them. 
He has committed to me and to our committee that he will faithfully 
implement critical VA reforms in line with congressional intent, and I 
intend to hold him accountable for the decisions and actions he makes 
as Secretary.
  We have made significant progress with the VA to provide permanent 
veterans' choice in access to care, mental health and suicide 
prevention, employee accountability, and improved benefits for 
veterans, their dependents, and survivors. We cannot backtrack on this 
progress, and the next VA Secretary must be ready on day one to 
continue building on this success.
  I will support Mr. McDonough's confirmation and hold him to his 
commitment to work with our committee and with our veteran stakeholders 
to deliver the improved benefits and services Congress has 
legislated.

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