WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today released the following statement after the committee approved the nominations of Dr. David J. Shulkin to be Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health and LaVerne H. Council to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Information and Technology.

“The Veterans Health Administration faces several serious, on-going issues, particularly the implementation of the Veterans Choice Act,” said Isakson. “The VA’s information technology program has often experienced project failures, cost overruns and security mismanagement. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Dr. Shulkin and Ms. Council to address these issues and ensure that the VA is well-equipped to deliver the best possible care and services to our veterans.”

The committee approved the nominations today by voice vote during a business meeting held off the Senate floor. Previously, these nominations were considered by the committee at a hearing on May 5, 2015. The pending nominations now advance to the full Senate for final confirmation.

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th Congress.

Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more