Robert A. McDonald: “I think we can't outsource customer service. In my opinion, that was the big mistake with the original Choice Act.”

That mission is to fulfill President Lincoln's promise 'to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.'

The impact of these cuts to veterans' care and benefits is unacceptable to me, and I know it is unacceptable to members of Congress.

Congress must act or veterans will suffer. That is unacceptable to me and I know that it is unacceptable to you.

Secretary McDonald said that he was going to try to increase the transparency of the agency and that he would not tolerate whistleblower retaliation.