WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement today after the United States Senate approved the nomination of Robert McDonald to serve as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs:

“I am confident that Secretary McDonald’s leadership will be a breath of fresh air for the VA and will help the Department turn a corner so that it can provide all of our veterans with the highest quality care,” Senator King said. “Secretary McDonald’s confirmation won’t solve the VA’s problems overnight, though. To be sure, new leadership at the VA is crucial, but Congress must also pass the Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014 to implement critical reform measures that will expand access to care and benefit programs and that will improve accountability at all levels. Our nation’s veterans deserve no less.”

###