Bush picks Peake to run Veterans Affairs Department

President Bush on Tuesday tapped retired Lt. Gen. James Peake to run the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Peake, a Vietnam veteran who was wounded twice in action, returned from the war to become a doctor.

{mosads} “As a medical officer and combat vet who was wounded in action, Dr. Peake understands the view from both sides of the hospital bed — the doctor’s and the patient’s,” Bush said in introducing the nominee.

The president noted that, if confirmed, Peake would be the first physician and the first general to serve as head of the VA.

“He will apply his decades of expertise in combat medicine and healthcare management to improve the veterans’ health system,” Bush said. “He will insist on the highest level of care for every American veteran.”

Bush used the nomination to demand that Congress send him the VA funding bill.

“It’s time for the Congress to do its job for the veterans,” the president said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he looks forward to the confirmation process.

“The agency needs strong, stable leadership to reverse a series of major missteps by the Bush administration,” Reid said. “From the enormous task of streamlining and improving the military and veterans’ disability systems, to implementing a joint electronic medical record, to caring for the large number of returning veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, we hope Gen. Peake will demonstrate to Congress that he can provide the VA with the strong leadership to make the monumental changes that our veterans deserve.”