McDonald Confirmed as VA Secretary

The Senate voted 97-0 July 29 to confirm the nomination of Robert McDonald as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. McDonald, a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger, succeeds retired Gen. Erik K. Shinseki, who resigned in the aftermath of the scandal involving deceptive records about the efficacy of treatment for veterans. McDonald comes to VA from Procter and Gamble Company, where he served as chief executive officer. Sloan Gibson, Shinseki’s top deputy, had acted as interim secretary. He will remain at VA in the same role.