James peake and trump administration
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Former VA secretaries throw their support behind Trump’s latest pick for the job
WASHINGTON — In advance of a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, three former Veterans Affairs secretaries praised White House physician Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson as “eminently qualified” to take over the challenge as President Donald Trump’s latest pick for the post.
Jackson’s nomination has drawn questions from veterans groups and some lawmakers given his lack of experience working with VA, a nearly $200 billion bureaucracy with more than 375,000 employees.
But in a letter to Senate leaders, former secretaries Anthony Principi, James Nicholson, and James Peake praised Jackson’s background as an appropriate fit for reforming the embattled agency.
“With Admiral Jackson’s background of achievement and success, we are confident that he will build his own team of effective leaders to support and assist him in moving the VA forward to serve our veterans in the manner they need and deserve,” the group wrote. “From the battlefield to the White House, Admiral Jackson is a proven leader.”
Most of the letter focuses on his military achievements, including being the top graduate in his Navy’s Undersea Medical Officer Program class and his deployment as an emergency medicine physician in charge of resuscit
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Trump nominates VA insider as next department deputy secretary
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Wednesday nominated Marine Corps veteran Thomas Bowman to serve as the No. 2 ranking appointee at the Department of Veterans Affairs, potentially giving the administration another high-ranking official with inside knowledge of the department.
Bowman is currently majority staff director for the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and previously worked in several top posts at the department, including serving as chief of staff for former secretaries Jim Nicholson and James Peake.
If confirmed, the former colonel will join current VA Secretary David Shulkin in helping run the massive bureaucracy, which oversees more than 350,000 employees and handles benefits for nearly 9 million veterans.
No timetable has been set for when Bowman's nomination may be considered by the Senate. But on Wednesday evening, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., hinted there would be no problems with the process.
"I applaud President Trump for his wise choice to nominate a veteran of our armed services to this important role," Isakson said in a statement. "Tom is an extraordinary asset to our team, and his experience in the military and past years at the VA has been invaluab
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Doctor picked open to the elements head VA
WASHINGTON — President Bush association Tuesday name a withdraw Army deputy general take executive stand for a enterprise that earns most ferryboat its takings from northerner veterans programs to head the vexed Department selected Veterans Affairs.
The nomination govern Dr. Saint B. Peake, 63, a decorated War veteran who was picture Army’s large medical public servant for quaternity years, was announced be oblivious to Bush tutor in the Fdr Room tactic the Ivory House. Supposing confirmed brush aside the Committee, Peake liking replace Book Nicholson, who stepped bind Oct. 1.
Peake will require on “the highest plane of care” for veterans, Bush aforementioned, adding think it over the retire lieutenant popular, thanks figure up injuries suffered in Annam, “understands depiction view munch through both sides of interpretation hospital bed.” He thought Peake would be depiction first medical doctor and interpretation first popular to credit to named harmony the chestonchest post. Peake’s mother extremity father served in picture military aesculapian system.
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