Watch booktv this weekend on cspan2. President biden has picked Denis Mcdonough to head the Veterans Affairs department. He previously served as white house chief of staff during the last four years of the obama presidency. His confirmation hearing he was asked about veterans access to healthcare, modernization efforts in the das responds to covid19. This is just over two hours. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] i i want to call this evening to order. I want to welcome everybody. I appreciate all that are here, all those that are online. The purpose of this hearing is due from the i president s nominate to serve as secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis Mcdonough. Before i talk about him i just want to say i appreciate this committee all the reasons we sat on this committee thats been bipartisan and its been nonpolitical, and we tried to do the best by our veterans whether you are the republican side for the democratic side of the aisle. I particularly appreciate the re
Ater, Susan Ferrechio takes look at how the next senate is shaping up. We also take your calls and you can join the conversation on facebook and twitter. Washington journal is next. Host the shape of president elect Joe Bidens Administration will begin to take shape today as he names a covid advisory panel. While cabinet choices may be a week or more away, he could name his chief of staff this week. Good morning, it is monday, november 9. Welcome to washington journal. Our first hour of questioning asking you what is your top priority for the Biden Administration . Here is how you take part. One line for democrats, one line for republicans, one for independence and others. Independents and others. We welcome your texts. Please include your name and where you are texting from. And on facebook as well. We will also keep you updated on some of the legal challenges that are continuing in several states to the election by the Trump Campaign. We will tell you more about those as we look for
This office, i will not be the last. [ cheers ] President Trump insists the election is not over, making baseless claims of fraud. If you count the legal votes, i easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us. The president s allegations of largescale fraud and theft of the election are just not substantia substantiated. Launching lawsuits. My guests republican senator mitt romney of utah, democratic congressman James Clyburn of south carolina, and Biden Deputy Campaign manager kay bedingfield. This is not what the democrats dreamed. Disappointed democrats lose seats in the house. We had a very good day. Most pundits thought we would lose the senate. Two georgia runoffs in january will decide control of the senate. Joining me for insight and analysis, nbc News Washington correspondent andrea mitchell. Democratic pollster cornell belcher. Wall street journal columnist peggy noonan. And david wasserman, house editor for the cook political report.
News, an announcement that there has been progress made for a successful vaccine. Soon, the expectation is the fda will run a process of rigorous reviews and approval. The process must also be grounded in science and transparency, so the American People can have every confidence this vaccine is safe and effective. At the same time, it is clear this vaccine, even if approved, not be widely available for many months yet to come. Challenge before us right now is still immense and growing. Although we are not in office yet, im just laying out what we expect to do and hope can be done, some of it, between now and the time we are sworn in. The purpose of this is to let you know what we are going to do once i am in. There is a need for bold action to fight this pandemic. We are still facing a very dark winter. Nearly 10 million covid cases in the united states. Last week, topped 120,000 new cases on multiple successive days. Infection rates are going up. Hospitalizations are going up. Deaths
Some of the legal challenges that are continuing in several states to the election by the Trump Campaign. We will tell you more about those as we look for your calls and comments momentarily. Here is the reporting on the incoming Biden Administration. The headline biden plans to move fast on the pandemic and the economy. President elect joe biden and his advisers planned this week to demonstrate a far more assertive strategy against the coronavirus then President Trump. Biden may take a more proactive role in the coming weeks and congressional negotiations over an economic stimulus package. Bidens proposal, some of which were posted on his new transition website, include aiming to secure funds for ramping up coronavirus testing, requiring additional protective equipment such as masks and gowns, and investing 25 billion in vaccine and manufacturing and distribution. His aides say they recognize the United States has one president at a time, nonetheless, hope to seize on the momentum fro