The VA Secretary’s Promises: A Sincere Vow or a Calculated Performance?
Confirmation hearings are a cornerstone of American democracy—a moment of public accountability where nominees lay out their vision. When the current Secretary of Veterans Affairs, then-nominee Collins, sat before Congress, he made a compelling case built on a series of heartfelt VA Secretary’s promises.
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The Core of the Commitment
He spoke not just of policy, but of purpose. “You’ve hit the whole heart of why I want to do this job,” he stated, positioning himself as a leader with a servant’s heart. He claimed the very reason he wanted the job was to serve Veterans by transforming the VA’s internal culture. These weren’t vague commitments; the VA Secretary’s promises were clear, specific, and aimed directly at the department’s most valuable asset: its employees.
He pledged to be a secretary who would:
- Care for People
- Motivate the Workforce
- Encourage Workers
- Empower the Workforce
He spoke of a desire to “unleash the power of this wonderful workforce,” a key part of the VA Secretary’s promises that resonated with many. He envisioned a revitalized VA that actively “finds yeses instead of no’s.”
Have the VA Secretary’s Promises Been Kept?
But a promise made is a debt unpaid. The question now looms large for the hundreds of thousands of VA employees and the millions of Veterans they serve: Have the Secretary’s promises been kept? Has that vision been realized?
This is more than a political question; it’s a personal one for every individual who interacts with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The outcome of the VA Secretary’s promises impacts the daily reality inside VA hospitals, clinics, and offices across the country.
A Question for the Front Lines
Ultimately, the true measure of these commitments lies with those they were meant to serve. So, we turn the question over to you—the people on the front lines who experience the impact of the Secretary’s promises every day.
To every VA employee: Do you feel Cared For? Motivated? Encouraged? Empowered?
Share your experiences and perspectives in the comments below.
