Denis McDonough

Getting our Veterans through this pandemic continues to be one of our department's highest priorities.

The budget provides needed funding for women veterans.

I think it is principally due to telehealth.

Community care, as Senator Boozman said, and direct care are both important.

In short, this proposed budget allows us to deliver high-quality whole health care and benefits to our veterans.

The budget ensures we can continue the growth and success of our Caregiver Support Program by fully integrating families and caregivers into the care plans of the veterans they love.

I think it does, but I also think, Chairman, as you are aware, we have also set up a process...

Veterans need deserve a thriving direct care system for generations to come, because it provides high quality, evidence-based, integrated care tailored to their unique needs.

I do believe we should be. And I think that we are.

The budget provides needed funding for women veterans.

And this budget allows us to continue our success in reducing veteran's homelessness, building on the success of the last decade during which we decreased veteran homelessness by 50 percent.

As well as an effective backstop to our country's health care system, VA's Fourth Mission has been critically important during this pandemic, as well as multiple other national disasters.

I do so with great respect for your constitutional obligations to advise and consent.

I have seen the excellence of our military and I have seen the challenges of long deployments, and I have seen the sacrifices, but I have seen the resilience.

I believe, as you do, and as I said earlier, everybody has a role to play in supporting the veterans.

Community Care will continue to be a fundamental way that the Department provides care to our veterans.

I promise to fight every single day to ensure that our veterans have the access to world-class, compassionate care that they have earned.

Having cybersecurity, cyber hygiene front and center... will have to be a fundamental priority.

I have been given a clear mission by President Biden, to be a fierce, staunch advocate for veterans and their families.

The Constitution actually divvies that up quite clearly for you all and for the Executive, in Articles I and II.

The President has made clear that equity will be a fundamental consideration across the pandemic preparedness and response.

Executing on the modernization has to be a key priority.

If confirmed I would intend to play that role.

I do not support privatization.

Every decision that I am involved in, if confirmed as Secretary, will come back to the fundamental premise of whether the decision is increasing access and improving outcomes for veterans.