President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Veterans Administration is facing two major roadblocks. First, charges from Democrats and Republicans alike that Dr. Ronny Jackson is unqualified to run one of the largest agencies in the federal government. And now, charges of improper conduct.
“Committee members have been told about allegations related to improper conduct in various stages of his career,” CNN reports, citing two sources.
Those sources “say the committee is in talks to delay Wednesday’s confirmation hearing as they try to figure out the allegations,” CNN adds.
“All I can really tell you at this moment time is we are continuing the vetting process,” Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee tells CNN. “We are working very hard at it. It’s all hands on deck.”
Asked if the allegations were troubling, Tester replied, “Only if true.” Asked if Democrats could determine if the allegations are true before Wednesday’s hearing or if he would need to meet with Jackson again, Tester responded, ‘We’ll see.”
“I’m going to let my staff and myself enough time to do as much work as we can in the next 48 hours, less than 48 now. And then we’re gonna see what we can come up with and go from there,” Tester said.
Navy Rear Admiral Jackson is the official Physician to the President. He previously served President Barack Obama in that capacity. He has little known management experience. The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has a $180 billion budget.
President Trump tapped Adm. Jackson to replace embattled VA administrator David Shulkin, who Trump fired via a tweet.