WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) questioned Denis McDonough, the nominee to serve as Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary. McDonough testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

Last Congress, Boozman authored legislation to create a VA grant program that leverages and supports veteran-serving non-profits and other community networks in order to reduce and prevent veteran suicides. His initiative, widely praised by veteran service organizations, was included as a provision in the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. Boozman pressed McDonough on how he would advocate for partnerships with veteran-serving community organizations to help prevent veteran suicides.

“If confirmed, describe how you will lead the VA to create more partnerships with veteran serving community organizations, while at the same time incentivizing those same organizations to partner and work with the VA?” Boozman asked McDonough.

Click here to watch Boozman question McDonough