Washington – Quickly and without controversy, the Senate on Tuesday confirmed Linda Schwartz, who heads the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, for a key job at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Schwartz, 69, a Vietnam vet and former nurse, was nominated by President Obama last year to be the VA’s assistant secretary of policy and planning.
That means Schwartz will be at the forefront of implementing reforms at the troubled VA system.
“The VA needs vigorous, energizing leadership, and Linda Schwartz will help provide it,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
Schwartz’s nomination, and those of other high-level nominees, have been twisting in the wind for months as investigations of the agency were conducted and a new chief, Secretary Robert McDonald, was named.
“I’m very excited for Linda and for the VA,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. “She has been such a breath of fresh air for Connecticut.”
Gov. Dannel Malloy will now have to find a successor to Schwartz to head the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.