(U.S. Senate)—After securing a pledge not to privatize the VA and to reform the Veterans Choice Program, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced today that he will support President Donald Trump’s VA Secretary nominee Dr. David Shulkin. 

“It is clear to me that Dr. Shulkin is committed to our nation’s veterans.  He has pledged to reform the Choice Program, oppose privatizing the VA, and address the challenges facing rural veterans,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  “I will work with Chairman Isakson to ensure Dr. Shulkin is confirmed in a timely fashion, and then we will hold him accountable on behalf of all veterans to the pledges he made during his confirmation hearing.”

Tester asked Shulkin specific questions during yesterday’s confirmation hearing on the Veterans Choice Program, diverting resources away from the VA, and exempting Veterans Benefits Administration employees from the current hiring freeze.

Tester additionally pushed Shulkin to confirm that his appointment came without conditions from the President.

Tester also asked Shulkin a question on behalf of Billings resident, Debbie Blanchard.

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold a vote in the coming days on Shulkin's confirmation. If approved by a majority of the committee, Shulkin' will then receive a confirmation vote from the entire Senate.

Shulkin has served as the VA Undersecretary of Health since 2015, and prior to that, he spent nearly two decades as a hospital administrator in the private sector.