“Army veteran Donald Remy was easily confirmed to the second-highest post in the Department of Veterans Affairs on Thursday after two months of political drama surrounding his nomination.”
“The 91-8 vote in support of the former National Collegiate Athletic Association executive to take over the VA leadership role was finalized with no public debate or protest. Remy is expected to be sworn into the post in coming days.”
“Remy will be only the second Black veteran ever to serve in the VA deputy secretary role. In recent weeks, Secretary Denis McDonough has actively lobbied lawmakers to finish his confirmation process, pointing to the department’s electronic medical records modernization project in particular as an issue he will help lead in coming months.”
“Despite facing no opposition in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Remy’s nomination has been stalled since late May after Sen. Marcia Blackburn, R-Tenn., placed a hold over what she initially said were concerns that VA leaders were too slow to provide information on a potential toxic exposures measure under consideration in Congress…”
“Remy is a graduate of Louisiana State University and Howard University School of Law, and spent four years in the Army. During his time in service, he served as assistant to the Army General Counsel, handling a host of legal and policy issues. He later worked as deputy assistant attorney general at the Justice Department.”
“He is also the first Senate-confirmed holder of the deputy secretary post in more than a year. Carolyn Clancy has been serving in the role in an acting capacity since the start of Joe Biden’s presidency. The last Senate-confirmed deputy was James Byrne, who was fired by then Secretary Robert Wilkie in February 2020.” Read the full article here.
Source: Former NCAA executive confirmed as VA’s second in command – By Leo Shane III, July 15, 2021. Military Times.
