Tester calls protracted search for VA director 'unacceptable'
Billings Gazette
By: Cindy Uken
The selection process for naming someone to lead Montana's VA Health Care system is taking "far, far too long," U.S. Sen. Jon Tester said in a recent interview with The Billings Gazette. "It is unacceptable."
Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said he met with Robert McDonald, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, last week to pressure him to name a director.
McDonald, who in July became the eighth VA secretary, told Tester his department is close to naming a director. Tester said he hopes a decision is made before the first of the year, and if there is not, there will be an "explosion."
Tester also said if someone isn't named within a week from Monday, he will call McDonald every day until there is. The protracted search is causing good people to withdraw their candidacy for other opportunities, he said.
