Brown: VA Nominee Said Right Things to Me, Now He Needs to Make Public Commitment to America’s Veterans, Earn Their Support

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) met with President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Dr. Ronny Jackson, in the Senator’s office today. At Brown’s urging, Jackson committed to oppose efforts to privatize the VA. Brown said Jackson must now make that same commitment to veterans in his public hearing before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and earn the support of the veterans community. Brown said Jackson must also commit to actively work to strengthen and improve the VA for the veterans it serves.

“Dr. Jackson said a lot of the right things to me. Now he needs to make those same commitments to veterans at his public hearing and earn their support,” said Brown. “We must fight any effort to use America’s veterans to line the pockets of wealthy corporations, so I was glad to hear Dr. Jackson oppose privatization. But simply saying it isn’t enough. Any nominee to head the VA must also be ready and able to actively strengthen and improve the VA for our veterans, and I look forward to continuing to hear from Dr. Jackson throughout his confirmation process.”

Brown will continue to question Jackson when he comes before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on what he’ll do to improve VA healthcare for Ohio veterans, strengthen the VA workforce, and expand benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during service.

Brown is the longest-serving U.S. Senator from Ohio on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

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