A Senate panel has postponed the confirmation hearing for Ronny L. Jackson who was nominated by President Donald Trump to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. The reason behind the postponement is that top Republicans and Democrats have raised concerns about his qualifications and oversight of the White House medical staff.
The development came just two days before Jackson, the White House physician, was scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, throwing what was to be a difficult confirmation process into further jeopardy.
Apart from his insufficient management experience, the former combat surgeon has also been criticized for his glowing assessment of President Trump’s health after his annual physical at the beginning of this year. Lately, fresh concerns have arisen about Jackson’s management of the White House medical office, officials said without providing further details.
“I can tell you we’re vetting out Jackson,” said Senator Jon Tester, the committee’s ranking Democrat. “I can’t get into specifics, but we’re doing our job to make sure he’s fit for the job.”
Another member of the committee said he had expressed his concerns about Jackson’s lack of management experience to the White House and has asked to speak with the chief of staff about it because, as he said, “this job is so difficult.”
“Nothing about this is easy, and it takes a very unique person to be able to lead an organization that is so difficult to lead, and I need to be convinced that’s the case regardless of the sense of his experience,” said Senator Jerry Moran.
According to officials, the White House is also looking into whether concerns raised about the President’s nominee have any validity.
For now, it remains unclear whether the confirmation hearing will take place on a different date or will be postponed indefinitely. Some White House officials have expressed worries that the nomination was in peril.
Jackson’s nomination took many on Capitol Hill by surprise, which is why he has received very little support from both Republicans and Democrats.
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