New VA secretary promises unity around work to reform veterans programs
February 9
Vice President Kamala Harris (right,) bumps elbows with Kari McDonough, after ceremonially swearing in McDonough's husband, Denis (far left) as the Veterans Affairs Secretary on Feb. 9, 2021, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, D.C. Behind them are McDonough's sons. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
In his first message to veterans and department staff since his confirmation, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough promised to base all of his decisions around “whether it increases veterans’ access to care and benefits and improves outcomes for them” as he takes on the task of reforming the massive federal bureaucracy.