Trump’s choice to lead agency facing skepticism

WASHINGTON» Ronny L. Jackson, President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, is facing mounting skepticism from Senate Republicans over whether he has the management experience to lead the nation’s second-largest bureaucracy.

The comments from several

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GOP senators, particularly those with influence on veterans’ issues, signal Jackson will have to work overtime to persuade not just Democrats but Trump’s own party that he is qualified to oversee the beleaguered agency.

That challenge comes at a time when Senate Republicans are juggling other controversial nominations that will consume much of the political oxygen on Capitol Hill.

Jackson has served three administrations under both parties as the White House physician, yet has little management experience on his résumé as he gears up to take over a sprawling agency of 360,000 workers and deal with the vexing challenges of providing health care and benefits to military veterans.

Republicans say they know little to nothing about Jackson and are quickly studying up as they prepare for one-on-one meetings with the nominee.

“Certainly, I do have concerns about his experience, as far as managing people,” said Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., who sits on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, which will vet Jackson’s nomination. “There is some concern about whether or not he’s been in a position to lead an organization like that.”