Senate confirms Stillwater native Dennis McDonough as VA secretary
In this Oct. 28, 2013, file photo, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough listens as President Barack Obama speaks at FBI Headquarters in Washington. President-elect Joe Biden is nominating former President Barack Obama's White House chief of staff Denis McDonough as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The sprawling agency has presented organizational challenges for both parties over the years. Biden is continuing to stockpile his administration with prominent alumni of the Obama administration.[AP/ Charles Dharapak]
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dennis McDonough, President Barack Obama’s White House chief of staff, as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
McDonough, a Stillwater native and graduate of St. John’s University, was approved by an 87 to 7 vote Monday.
Biden picks former Obama chief of staff, Stillwater native McDonough for VA
McDonough is an experienced manager who was chief of staff throughout Obama’s second term. McDonough was previously Obama’s deputy national security adviser and was a longtime congressional staffer.
McDonough was credited with helping Obama try to bridge divides on Capitol Hill, including around one of his most substantial second-term legislative achievements: the Veterans Choice Act.
The Associated Press contributed to this report