Senate to postpone confirmation hearing for Jackson to head VA, White House officials told
In addition to Jackson's lack of management experience, the former combat surgeon had come under fire for his glowing appraisal of Trump's health following his annual physical in January.
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WASHINGTON – Senate lawmakers have postponed the confirmation hearing for Ronny Jackson, President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, after top Republicans and Democrats raised concerns about his qualifications and oversight of the White House medical staff, White House and other administration officials were told Monday.
The development came just two days before Jackson, the White House physician, was scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and threw what was already looking to be a difficult confirmation process into further jeopardy.
In addition to Jackson's lack of management experience, the former combat surgeon had come under fire for his glowing appraisal of Trump's health following his annual physical in January. Jackson said then the president might live to the age of 200 with a healthier diet. In recent days, fresh concerns arose about Jackson's management of the White House medical office, said the officials, who declined to provide details.
"I can tell you we're vetting out Jackson," said Sen. Jon Tester (D., Mont.), the committee's ranking Democrat. "I can't get into specifics, but we're doing our job to make sure he's fit for the job."
The White House, at Tester's request, also is assessing whether the questions that have been raised about Jackson have any validity, a former White House official said.
Aides to committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R., Ga.) declined to comment on the issue. Jackson was a surprise nominee to succeed David Shulkin, whom Trump fired March 28.
The Washington Post's Amy Gardner, Emily Wax-Thibodeaux and Alice Crites contributed to this article.