CONTACT: Gretchen Andersen (212) 982-9699 or press@iava.org
On Day of McDonald Confirmation Hearing, IAVA Looks For Reform Plan
New York, NY (July 22, 2014) – The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) will hold a confirmation hearing for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary nominee Robert A. McDonald at 3 pm today at SD-G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building. McDonald is the former head of Procter & Gamble and is a United States Military Academy graduate.
The hearing will air on C-Span 3. Click here to watch.
“Today’s confirmation hearing gets us one step closer to putting the VA on a new path,” said IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff. “Bob McDonald will have a lot to answer to – how he will reform the VA, eradicate wrongdoers, and instill trust in a deplorable health care system. The VA is broken and disgraced right now. Americans are outraged at the alleged cover-ups and widespread corruption that continues to come to light. McDonald must know how to handle the cultural and systemic issues that have plagued VA for decades. We urge McDonald to implement IAVA’s eight-step “Marshall Plan” immediately and meet with VSO leaders upon confirmation. His potential position comes with a heavy load, but he does not have to carry it alone. Congress and the President must get involved and lead on this critical issue before August recess. IAVA looks forward to working with McDonald to change the status quo and better serve our veterans.”
In June, IAVA unveiled its eight-step “Marshall Plan” for veterans. Among the steps are recommendations from IAVA's 2014 Policy Agenda.
Note to media: IAVA leadership will be available for interviews. Email press@iava.org or call 212-982-9699.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 270,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary, IAVA recently received the highest rating - four-stars - from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.
###
veterans