VA Secretary nominee faces delayed confirmation hearing amid workplace allegations
Ronny Jackson, MD, the White House physician who President Donald Trump nominated for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, was in line for difficult questioning at his confirmation hearing later this week. Now, the question is whether such a hearing will take place at all.
Republicans are postponing the meeting, citing a need to look into allegations that Jackson acted improperly at various stages of his careers. None of the senators would offer details of the allegations, and the White House has not yet responded.
The Democrats on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee met Monday night to discuss a strategy moving forward.
“There’s a need for very exacting and close scrutiny and vetting,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, according to Politico. “And some questions that need to be answered. I’m not going to comment on any of the specifics, except to say we’re going to be doing very close and careful scrutiny.”
CBS News reported that multiple sources close to Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, the chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, claim the allegations deal with a “hostile work environment” along with “excessive drinking on the job” and “improperly dispensing meds.”
Jackson, a 50-year-old rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, was facing a tough confirmation process, with questions about his executive experience and views on privatization of the VA.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.