David Shulkin: “Veterans come first, absolutely.”

This is a tough job for anybody to do. What the successful secretary needs to do is to build a team around them because this is bigger than any one person, and to work very collaboratively with veteran service organizations and Congress.

I came to Washington with the commitment to make our system work better for veterans. That's the commitment that I went to work every day. I continue to feel strongly about that. There was no reason why I would resign.

It is my hope we can work together to ensure talented medical professional remain in the VA to deliver quality care to our veterans.

Slowing down and pausing to see what the consequences are, even if they are unintended consequences, is important to do.