Senate confirms former Obama chief of staff to oversee VA
Secretary of Veterans Affairs nominee Denis McDonough speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Washington. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP) (Sarah Silbiger, © 2021 Bloomberg Finance LP)
WASHINGTON – The Senate has overwhelmingly voted to confirm President Joe Biden’s pick to oversee the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Senate confirmed Denis McDonough as VA secretary by a vote of 87-7 on Monday. McDonough was President Barack Obama’s chief of staff.
McDonough will oversee a sprawling agency that has presented organizational challenges for both parties over the years. But he never served in the armed forces, a fact noted by leading veterans advocacy groups.
McDonough touted his experience working in the Obama administration, telling lawmakers he understood how to untangle and solve complex challenges across the government. He said his experience as chief of staff also enabled him to view the sacrifices that veterans make and that he feels he owes a profound debt of gratitude to those who served in the military.
McDonough replaces Robert Wilkie, who served as VA secretary under President Donald Trump.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Jacksonville mom’s faith, family support fuel fight to walk again after accident ▶ 0:41
Jacksonville mom’s faith, family support fuel fight to walk again after accident
City of Jacksonville launches ‘State of the Food’ plan to shape the city’s food system ▶ 1:14
City of Jacksonville launches ‘State of the Food’ plan to shape the city’s food system
St. Johns County recorded zero criminal homicides in 2025 ▶ 0:29
St. Johns County recorded zero criminal homicides in 2025
Florida leads nation in foreclosure filings, but experts say it’s not a repeat of 2008 housing crash ▶ 1:27
Florida leads nation in foreclosure filings, but experts say it’s not a repeat of 2008 housing crash
Jacksonville mom says missed school bus pickups put her sons' education, her job at risk ▶ 1:23
Jacksonville mom says missed school bus pickups put her sons' education, her job at risk
Dee Brown JU Highlights ▶ 0:58
Dee Brown JU Highlights
Another chilly start across Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia ▶ 0:25
Another chilly start across Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia
Indiana, Miami fans bring college spirit to Jacksonville for national championship battle ▶ 0:34
Indiana, Miami fans bring college spirit to Jacksonville for national championship battle
Florida bills aim to regulate mobile home rent hikes ▶ 1:31
Florida bills aim to regulate mobile home rent hikes
2 shootings, armed robbery reported across 3 Jacksonville fast-food restaurants over the weekend ▶ 1:10
2 shootings, armed robbery reported across 3 Jacksonville fast-food restaurants over the weekend
Deputy recovering after shootout with man accused of killing his father in Baker County ▶ 0:51
Deputy recovering after shootout with man accused of killing his father in Baker County
City blight initiatives manager pushing for increased funding to address illegal dumping ▶ 1:01
City blight initiatives manager pushing for increased funding to address illegal dumping
Chief Meteorologist Richard Nunn says our frigid, frosty forecast isn't over yet ▶ 0:38
Chief Meteorologist Richard Nunn says our frigid, frosty forecast isn't over yet
Honoring legacy of civil rights icon at Jacksonville’s 45th annual MLK Holiday Parade ▶ 0:55
Honoring legacy of civil rights icon at Jacksonville’s 45th annual MLK Holiday Parade
5 side hustles that actually work! ▶ 0:15
5 side hustles that actually work!
Tracking rain before freezing temperatures arrive ▶ 0:51
Tracking rain before freezing temperatures arrive
Snow flurry potential in Southeast Georgia on Sunday ▶ 0:56
Snow flurry potential in Southeast Georgia on Sunday
Safety concerns at A1A and TPC Blvd ▶ 1:03
Safety concerns at A1A and TPC Blvd
Questions remain as JSO continues Springfield double death investigation ▶ 1:24
Questions remain as JSO continues Springfield double death investigation
Jacksonville protesters bash ICE operations, demand city employee be reinstated ▶ 0:45
Jacksonville protesters bash ICE operations, demand city employee be reinstated
In case you haven't noticed, it's been a little cold in Jacksonville... ▶ 1:23
In case you haven't noticed, it's been a little cold in Jacksonville...
Fernandina Beach community rallies behind woman fighting to keep food pantry open ▶ 1:11
Fernandina Beach community rallies behind woman fighting to keep food pantry open
Reporter Ariel Schiller has all the info you need for warming centers in Jacksonville ▶ 1:12
Reporter Ariel Schiller has all the info you need for warming centers in Jacksonville
THROWBACK THURSDAY: David Robinson practices with JU ▶ 0:52
THROWBACK THURSDAY: David Robinson practices with JU
Woman facing multiple charges after punching trooper in the face during ICE encounter, AG says ▶ 0:45
Woman facing multiple charges after punching trooper in the face during ICE encounter, AG says
Previous photo Next photo 