AKAKA CALLS FOR SWIFT CONFIRMATION OF VA LEADERSHIP TEAM AT HEARING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, held a hearing today to review four of President Barack Obama’s nominees to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Roger W. Baker, to be Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology; Will A. Gunn, to be General Counsel; Jose D. Riojas, to be Assistant Secretary for Operations, Security, and Preparedness; and John U. Sepulveda, to be Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration. 


“The President’s nominees are fine candidates who have committed themselves to public service, and are now positioned to continue that service for the veterans of this nation.  It is time to provide Secretary Shinseki with a confirmed leadership team capable of fulfilling his commitment to transform VA and provide veterans with the care and benefits they have earned.  Confirmation of these four nominees will help him achieve that goal,” said Akaka.

Chairman Akaka’s full statement on the nominees, as well as their written testimony, is available here.

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May 6, 2009