WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s pick to be secretary of Veterans Affairs (all times local):
1:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump says his nominee to lead Veterans Affairs, Dr. Ronny Jackson, will soon be “making a decision” about his future amid questions about the White House doctor and Navy rear admiral.
Trump says in a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron that he will “stand behind” his VA nominee but it’s “totally his decision” on whether he should try to win confirmation in the Senate.
Jackson’s nomination was put on hold indefinitely after allegations surfaced regarding inappropriate behavior on the job and over-prescribing prescription drugs.
Trump is criticizing members of Congress who questioned Jackson’s lack of experience. He called Jackson one of the finest people he’s ever met.
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10:55 a.m.
The leaders of a Senate panel say the confirmation hearing for Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s pick to be Veterans Affairs secretary, is being postponed indefinitely.
Sen. Johnny Isakson, the Republican chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and Sen. Jon Tester, the top Democrat, cite “serious allegations” recently made against Jackson.
They say it is their duty to “thoroughly and carefully vet” his nomination. His hearing had been set for Wednesday.
The two lawmakers sent a letter to Trump Tuesday requesting additional information about Jackson, who has served as a White House physician since 2006. It seeks any communication between the Pentagon and the White House regarding “allegations or incidents” involving him.
Trump selected Jackson to head the VA last month after firing former Obama administration official David Shulkin.
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10:15 a.m.
A Senate committee says it has delayed Wednesday’s confirmation hearing for Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s pick to be secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Spokeswoman Amanda Maddox cites questions from lawmakers over allegations made about Jackson’s past behavior.
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee was scheduled to hold Jackson’s hearing on Wednesday.
Trump selected Jackson to head the VA last month after firing former Obama administration official David Shulkin following an ethics scandal and mounting rebellion within the agency. But Jackson has since faced numerous questions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about whether he has the experience to manage the massive department of 360,000 employees serving 9 million veterans.
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9:20 a.m.
The White House is standing behind Ronny Jackson, President Donald Trump’s choice to be Veterans Affairs secretary amid growing questions about his qualifications.
Spokesman Hogan Gidley is praising Jackson, who is Trump’s White House doctor and a Navy rear admiral, for serving as a physician to three U.S. presidents, both Republican and Democrat. He says Jackson has a record of “strong decisive leadership” and is “exactly what’s needed at the VA.”
Senators have been discussing plans to delay Jackson’s confirmation hearing, saying more time may be needed to review whether Jackson can manage a massive agency of 360,000 employees serving 9 million veterans.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
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1:46 a.m.
Senators are discussing plans to delay the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s pick to be Veteran Affairs secretary over growing questions about the nominee’s ability to manage the government’s second-largest department.
The hearing for Ronny Jackson, Trump’s White House doctor, is scheduled for Wednesday.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal says some Republicans have told him that they think the hearing should be postponed, which he says deserves consideration.
Blumenthal says he thinks there may well be a need for more time, in fairness to Jackson, so that he and the administration have an opportunity to answer these questions fully and fairly.
Blumenthal declined to discuss why more time might be needed.
White House and VA officials are also discussing a delay with key allies outside the administration.
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