Senator Blocks Confirmation of VA Leadership Over Toxic Exposure Bill
June 06, 2021
A Tennessee senator has blocked the confirmation of four nominees to Veterans Affairs leadership posts. The move comes over lingering comments about the department’s lack of response on the cost and scope of a pending toxic exposure bill that would grant more generous benefits to victims of toxic exposure.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., made the objection on Tuesday after Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., tried advancing the nominations.
In the objection, Blackburn mentioned how distressed her constituents are by the lack of service that they receive from the VA. Simply saying it is unacceptable, and that this culture needs to be changed.
Blackburn would later write a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, saying she would not allow a full chamber confirmation vote because “the administration needs to fulfill its constitutional duty to provide information to Congress, especially when it includes the potential impact that legislation could have on millions of veterans.”
The individuals tapped for confirmation were Donald Remy, nominated for Deputy VA Secretary; Matthew Quinn, nominated to serve as undersecretary for memorial affairs; Maryanne Donaghy, nominated to lead VA’s whistleblower protection office; and Patricia Ross, selected to be assistant secretary for legislative affairs.
Sen. Blackburn plans to continue the holds through July, the expected date when VA officials said they can provide the information.
The objection centers on the Comprehensive and Overdue Support for Troops (COST) of War Act, which would lessen the documentation needed to prove the connection between overseas burn pits or other toxic contaminant exposures and veterans’ eligibility for disability benefits payouts later in life.
Although VA and congressional officials have not given a cost estimate, several lawmakers warn that benefits could run into the “hundreds of billions of dollars” range.
This measure is one of two major toxic exposure bills currently under debate in Congress and was passed unanimously last month by the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee; which Blackburn is a part of.
“This bill will require VA to completely reshape the way it processes toxic exposure claims and will establish a presumption of service connection for multiple diseases. Does VA have the capacity to absorb the provisions in this legislation? Probably not. How long will it take to implement it? These are simple answers to questions the committee has yet to receive from VA.”
Committee Chairman Jon Tester says he will continue the fight to move the nominations.
“If we don’t want to confirm well-qualified nominees, then why don’t we just shut down the VA? Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. And in the process, veterans suffer.” Tester said.
Whatever the solution is, it needs to happen quickly. These nominees will serve in critical roles at the VA, roles that will only help them in their efforts to deliver the best health care and access to benefits.