Senate unanimously confirms Obama holdover David Shulkin as VA secretary – Chicago Tribune
The Senate on Monday easily confirmed physician David Shulkin to be secretary of Veterans Affairs, charged with delivering on President Donald Trump's campaign promises to fix long-standing problems at the department.
Senators voted 100-0 to approve the former Obama administration official, who was the VA's top health official since 2015, in a rare show of bipartisanship amid partisan rancor over Trump's other nominees. Shulkin secured the backing of Senate Democrats after pledging at his confirmation hearing to always protect veterans' interests, even if it meant disagreeing at times with Trump.
The 57-year old physician has ruled out fully privatizing the agency and says wide-scale firings of VA employees are unnecessary, describing the VA workforce as "the best in health care." Trump had made accountability and rooting out wrongdoing a cornerstone of VA reforms, having called the department "the most corrupt."
Shulkin is the first nonveteran to head the government's second-largest agency, which has nearly 370,000 employees and an annual budget of nearly $167 billion.
He'll have plenty to do once sworn in. Shulkin has acknowledged that Congress should hold him to a higher standard of faster results as a former VA official who has laid initial groundwork for changes. He says he should be fired from his job if, like some VA secretaries before him, he isn't able to significantly fix problems and regain veterans' trust.
"You're not going to hear me asking for a learning curve," Shulkin said at his hearing. "I don't have a lot of patience and I am going to be serious about making these changes and regaining that trust."
The immediate challenge includes revamping scheduling and access for VA medical appointments following a 2014 wait-time scandal. Shulkin is urging a more integrated VA network where veterans could seek outside private care only in coordination with the VA. He has not sketched out full details.
"We've yet to hear from him how he'll pursue President Trump's vision for a public-private partnership at the VA," said Dan Caldwell, policy director for the conservative group Concerned Veterans for America.
Shulkin also will have to address long backlogs for veterans who apply for disability payments he calls its appeals system "broken and grapple with the White House's order of a 90-day federal hiring freeze. According to Shulkin, the White House agreed to exempt 37,000 out of 45,000 VA vacancies, but major veterans organizations say much more hiring is needed to eliminate red tape.
More:
Senate unanimously confirms Obama holdover David Shulkin as VA secretary - Chicago Tribune
- Trump dodges question on if hes in Epstein files and claims Obama and James Comey made them up - The Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama bros confronted on Democratic Party's intolerance problem, history of excluding people - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama's call to action for Democrats: 'Toughen up' and 'less whining' - MSNBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama slams Big Law attorneys who won't fight Trump because they want to 'finish that kitchen rehab' at their Hamptons homes - Business Insider - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump says Obama and Biden made up the Epstein files - The Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama Delivers Tough Talk to Dems on How to Defeat Trump - The Daily Beast - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- In defence of Step Brothers: the platonic ideal of Obama-era comedy - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama address divorce rumors in playful podcast moment: Touch and go for a while - Page Six - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump denies being cited in Epstein documents, calls files fabricated by Comey and Obama - WCIV - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama reveals why it would have been difficult to raise a son after having two daughters - The Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama demands less whining and more action from Democrats - MassLive - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Charlamagne criticizes Obama's 'mind-boggling' advice to Democrats as too little, too late - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Why Barack and Michelle Obama Would Have Had Difficulty Raising a Son - instyle.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama says raising a son wouldve been more difficult than raising Sasha and Malia - HOLA - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama Calls Out Biglaw Firms That Capitulated To Trump - Above the Law - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Explains Why He Would Have Had 'Difficulty' Raising a Son After Parenting 2 Daughters (Exclusive) - People.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Whoopi Goldberg claps back at Obama's claim that Democrats need to stop "whining": "You are pointing the finger at the wrong... - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Frustrated with leadership under Trump? Obama calls on Democrats to 'toughen up' - USA Today - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Whoopi Goldberg criticizes Barack Obama for saying Democrats need to 'toughen up' - Entertainment Weekly - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Former Obama speechwriter admits shunning conservative in his family was a mistake - Fox News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama reveal hard times as they directly address divorce rumors - UNILAD - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama admits he would've been more 'judgmental' if he had a son over daughters - Daily Express US - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Wants Democrats To Be the YIMBY Party. That's Easier Said Than Done. - Reason Magazine - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Former President Obama tells Democrats to toughen up and stop looking for the messiah - TheGrio - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Barack Obama reveals why it would have been difficult to raise a son after having two daughters - Yahoo - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Obama urges Democrats to toughen up amid frustration under Trump - The Boston Globe - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston sparks dating buzz with hypnotist Jim Curtis as netizens joke, Wheres Obama? - Hindustan Times - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Trump warned he could lose House over Epstein files row; pins blame on Obama and Biden - Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- New book claims Trump asked Obama this surprising question at Jimmy Carters funeral - The Economic Times - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Joined by Obama and Sherrill, Murphy raises more than $1.5 million for DNC - New Jersey Globe - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Larry David returns to TV with a heavy heart for Barack Obama-backed HBO sketch comedy - Los Angeles Times - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Obama is back on the fundraising circuit trying to help Democrats rebound for upcoming elections - The Independent - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Obama Steps Into the Ring to Deliver a Knockout Blow to Trump - The Daily Beast - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Obama, Backing New Larry David History Show, Avoids the Democratic Resistance to Trump - The New York Sun - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Pretty, pretty presidential: Everything to know about HBOs American history sketch comedy from Larry David and Barack Obama - Gold Derby - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Mamdani campaign dishes out millions to firm of key media strategist for Obama campaigns: 'She's the best' - Fox News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Barack Obama and Larry David Are Working On a TV Series About US History - La Voce di New York - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Larry David Trolls Bill Maher With His New Barack Obama Partnership - Pajiba - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- From Barack Obama to Emmanuel Macron, global leaders hit by AI and deepfakes - The Indian Express - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Heres what Trump and Obama laughed and talked about at Jimmy Carters funeral, new book reveals - New York Post - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama: I learned this great parenting tip from my mom and dadthey did a 'beautiful job' modeling it - CNBC - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump Asked Obama This Surprising Question at Jimmy Carter's Funeral, New Book Claims - People.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama frets young women are not allowed the unearned confidence young men have - Fox News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Barack Obama To Speak At The O2 London, 3Arena Dublin - Pollstar News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 'Telling the American story' Obama, Pence to speak at the Global Summit in Erie | Opinion - Erie Times-News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Malia Obama Has the Bag Collection of My Dreams - Teen Vogue - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- This is what President Trump asked Obama at Jimmy Carters funeral, new book claims - PennLive.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- These 3 Words Help Teach Kids Critical Thinking, Say Michelle Obama (and Psychologists) - Inc.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Heres what smiling Trump, Obama really talked about at Carter funeral - SILive.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Obama, Trump Discussed During Viral Interaction Finally Revealed - Newsradio WTAM 1100 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Details About Trump & Obama's Exchange At Jimmy Carter's Funeral Revealed - Black Information Network - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on confidence gender gap: Men have it, even when they havent earned it - Washington Examiner - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Obama, Trump Discussed During Viral Interaction Finally Revealed - iHeart - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Obama directed intelligence communitys Trump-Russia witch hunt, CIA review reveals - BLiTZ - Fears None But God - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Trump really said to Obama as they were spotted laughing at Jimmy Carter's funeral finally revealed - UNILAD - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Letter to the Editor: Deporter-in-Chief? Thats Obama, not Trump - courierherald.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 'Truth' behind Donald Trump and Barack Obama's friendly talk at Jimmy Carter's funeral as laughter stunned onlookers - The US Sun - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Donald Trump Said To Barack Obama At Jimmy Carter's Funeral - The Blast - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- We Finally Found Out What Trump And Obama Were Talking About At Jimmy Carter's Funeral - Yahoo - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- America Doesn't Like Trump: Obama and Even JD Vance are More Popular - thedailypoliticususa.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Barack Obama heads to the UK for talks - voice-online.co.uk - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama had to fight back tears during podcast. Heres why - PennLive - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Barack Obama to lift the lid on life in office in two live appearances - The Independent - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- FanDuel adds former Obama advisor and ex-NFL head to policy team - EGR North America - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Obama's scathing assessment of Biden's failed campaign revealed - Fox News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- An Evening With Barack Obama Heading To Arenas In London And Dublin In September - Stereoboard.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- An Evening with President Barack Obama announced for London and Dublin - Mixtape Madness - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama to speak at Dublin event later this year - Hotpress - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Say They're 'So Proud' of Daughter Malia on 27th Birthday: 'Keep Shining Bright, My Love' - People.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Steph Curry revealed what Barack Obama's golf game is like after playing with him and Jordan Spieth - The Golfing Gazette - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Share Why They're "So Proud" of Malia on Her 27th Birthday - instyle.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama's new photo of Malia on her birthday leaves fans saying the same thing - hellomagazine.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Malia Obama celebrates her birthday on Fourth of July: Our favorite looks over the years - hola.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Your campaign is a mess: What incredulous Obama thought of Biden running again - Washington Examiner - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Malia Obama, Suri Cruise, Jennifer Garner, and more celebs wearing overalls - hola.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and singer Bono fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - Politico - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- USAID officially closes, attracting condemnation from Obama and Bush - BBC - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Mamdani campaign hires former Obama, Clinton spokesperson who wished death on Trump - New York Post - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and singer Bono fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Mrs. Obama: Nation Must Step up Forever for Military Families - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]