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Senate Likes Shinseki for Veterans Affairs

War, economy burden system former Army general would inherit

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jan 14, 2009 3:06 PM CST

(Newser) – Retired Gen. Eric Shinseki garnered bipartisan support for his Veterans Affairs Secretary nomination today in outlining his priorities before Congress, the Military Times reports. The former Army chief of staff admitted to little experience with veterans issues, but his vows to streamline the agency won support from the likes of former Sen. Bob Dole—whom the Bush administration enlisted to improve veteran care.

Shinseki, who could be confirmed as early as Tuesday, would inherit a bulky system burdened by two wars that are sending home soldiers with serious mental health injuries. He prioritized a large boost in educational benefits, an overhaul of the labyrinthine disability claims system, increased funds for health care, and modernization. “I intend to be a forceful advocate for veterans,” he said.

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Veterans Affairs Secretary-designate Gen. Eric Shinseki testifies on Capitol Hill earlier today. (AP Photo)

Obama "charged me to ensure that veterans receive the benefits and services they earned and that the nation expects," Shinkseki said today. (AP Photo)

Shinseki is probably best known as the general who questioned Donald Rumsfeld's strategy in Iraq on the eve of the war. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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Shinseki resigned from his post as Army chief of staff while embroiled in a controversy in the lead-up to the Iraq war. (crumdoggy)

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Senate Likes Shinseki for Veterans Affairs