WASHINGTON — Senators are delaying a confirmation hearing for Ronny Jackson, President Trump's nominee to take over the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.
The hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs chaired by Isakson had been scheduled Wednesday but is being postponed to give lawmakers more time to examine information related to his service as a physician.
Jackson has served as a White House physician since 2006 and was selected by President Barack Obama to be the chief doctor in the White House medical unit in 2013.
Trump kept him on the job since taking office, and surprised many by picking him to take over the VA after he ousted former secretary David Shulkin last month.
Jackson has since faced concerns from lawmakers and others about whether he has enough management experience to lead the troubled VA, which has more than 300,000 employees and 1,200 medical facilities across the country.
The White House on Tuesday morning issued a statement defending Jackson.
“Admiral Jackson has been on the front lines of deadly combat and saved the lives of many others in service to this country. He’s served as the physician to three Presidents — Republican and Democrat — and been praised by them all," Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley said. "Admiral Jackson’s record of strong, decisive leadership is exactly what’s needed at the VA to ensure our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.”
