Senate votes decisively to confirm Denis McDonough to serve as VA secretary

The Senate voted decisively on Monday to confirm Denis McDonough to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary in the Biden administration.

McDonough, whose nomination was approved by a vote of 87-7, had previously worked as President Obama's chief of staff and before that as deputy national security adviser.

"As secretary, I will work to rebuild trust and restore VA as the premier agency for ensuring our veterans overall well-being," McDonough wrote in a December op-ed. "VA will provide world-class health care to meet the specific needs of veterans, drive progress to eliminate veterans homelessness and bring down suicide rates, and create meaningful employment and educational opportunities. VA will welcome and serve all veterans, including women veterans, veterans of color, and LGBT veterans. Further, we will improve VA management and accountability."