June 30, 2014

Ranking Member Michaud Statement on President Obama’s Nomination of Bob McDonald as VA Secretary

Washington, D.C. – President Obama is expected to officially nominate Bob McDonald to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs today. McDonald is the retired President & CEO of Procter & Gamble, and also served for five years as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement in response to McDonald’s nomination:

“We have seen over the last few weeks that the VA’s problems extend beyond wait lists at a few facilities. The White House report delivered to President Obama on Friday is the latest reminder of the large number of problems we are working together to address: from the immediate need to get veterans off wait lists and into a doctor’s office, to the longer-term needs such as addressing the VA’s culture and putting in place a healthcare system that can plan strategically for the influx of patients it will receive in the coming years.

“I’m pleased that Bob McDonald has experience both in the military and as the leader of a large corporation – backgrounds which I believe would serve him well at the helm of the VA. But no one person is going to solve all of the VA’s problems – it’s something all of us must continue working on together in the weeks, months, and years to come.”