The U.S. Senate confirmed the ninth Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday, February 13, 2017. Dr. David J. Shulkin was confirmed in a unanimous vote to lead the embattled department.
Dr. Shulkin brings decades of health administration experience to his new post. In his previous position at the VA, Shulkin served as undersecretary for health during the Obama administration. Although considered an Army ‘brat,’ Dr. Shulkin is the first secretary to lead the VA without having previously served in the military, a point of contention for some veterans groups.
As Secretary, Shulkin will oversee the second largest executive branch agency behind the Department of Defense and its components. The VA is comprised of roughly 350,000 employees, an $82 billion budget and almost 2,000 clinics and medical centers across the nation.
Vice-President Michael Pence swore in the new secretary on Tuesday, February 14, 2017.
As @DeptVetAffairs Secretary, Dr. David Shulkin will fulfill our nation’s promise to care for those who have sacrificed for our freedom. pic.twitter.com/U5MtF4OX7Z
— Vice President Pence (@VP) February 15, 2017