Reid gets agreement to vote on VA nominee

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced an agreement Thursday to hold a confirmation vote on Robert McDonald to be Veterans Affairs Secretary.

Reid asked unanimous consent for him and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to schedule a time for the vote, which could happen as early as today.

McDonald was nominated by President Obama to head the VA, which has been plagued by a scandal over long wait times for patients and those seeking benefits.

{mosads}On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee cleared McDonald’s nomination in a 14-0 vote.

“In a critical moment, Mr. McDonald is faced with a monumental task to fix the serious systemic and cultural challenges at the VA,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said. “After hearing from him personally, I am confident he will bring his successful management and leadership track record, and his commitment to service, to ensure our nation’s heroes get the benefits and services they have earned.”

McDonald is a former Procter & Gamble executive, who lawmakers are hoping can change the culture of the VA, after an investigation found mismanagement throughout the healthcare system.

Former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki resigned after reports that VA facilities falsified waitlists to hide backlogs in healthcare treatment.

Lawmakers are working on a deal to allow some veterans who have waited for healthcare to seek medical treatment at non-VA facilities, but House and Senate leaders have so far failed to reach an agreement on compromise legislation.