(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester, the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today released the following statement after the Senate unanimously passed three nominees to serve as senior leaders of the VA:

“The VA needs the strong leaders to deliver the care and benefits that our nation’s veterans have earned, and these new VA folks know there’s no room for error,” said Tester. “Putting strong advocates in these key positions will aid the VA in meeting its responsibility to veterans.”

The three VA senior leaders are:

• Thomas Bowman, VA Deputy Secretary
• James Byrne, VA General Counsel
• Brooks Tucker, VA Assistant Secretary of Congressional and Legislative Affairs

The Senate also unanimously approved three nominees to serve as judges to preside over the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims:

• Michael Allen
• Amanda Meredith
• Joseph Toth

“The Judges confirmed today will be the backstop in ensuring that veterans can use the benefits they have earned,” Tester added. “I look forward to working with these individuals to ensure that veterans have access to quality and timely care.”

Tester previously met with each nominee and questioned them before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.