United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|U.S. Cabinet position}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox official post
{{Infobox official post
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| body = Veterans Affairs
| body = Veterans Affairs
| flag = Flag of the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.svg
| flag = Flag of the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.svg
| flagborder = yes
| flagsize = 130
| flagsize = 130
| flagcaption = Flag of the Secretary
| flagcaption = Flag of the secretary
| insignia = Seal of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.svg
| insignia = Seal of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.svg
| insigniasize = 120
| insigniasize = 120
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Department
| insigniacaption = Seal of the department
| image = File:Dat Tran Dept of Vet Affairs.jpg
| image = File:Secretary McDonough, official photo (cropped).jpg
| incumbent = [[Dat Tran]] <br> Acting
| incumbent = [[Denis McDonough]]
| incumbentsince = January 20, 2021
| incumbentsince = February 9, 2021
| department = [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]]
| department = [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]]
| style = Mr. Secretary<br>(informal)<br>[[The Honourable#United States|The Honorable]]<br>(formal)
| style = Mr. Secretary (informal)<br>[[The Honourable#United States|The Honorable]] (formal)
| member_of = [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]]
| member_of = [[United States Cabinet]]
| reports_to = [[President of the United States]]
| reports_to = [[President of the United States]]
| seat = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| seat = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| appointer = The [[President of the United States|President]]
| appointer = The [[President of the United States]]
| appointer_qualified = with [[United States Senate|Senate]] [[advice and consent]]
| appointer_qualified = with [[United States Senate|Senate]] [[advice and consent]]
| termlength = No fixed term
| termlength = No fixed term
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| formation = March 15, 1989
| formation = March 15, 1989
| first = [[Ed Derwinski]]
| first = [[Ed Derwinski]]
| succession = [[United States presidential line of succession|Seventeenth]]<ref>https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19</ref>
| succession = [[United States presidential line of succession|Seventeenth]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19|title = 3 U.S. Code § 19 - Vacancy in offices of both President and Vice President; officers eligible to act}}</ref>
| deputy = [[Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]
| deputy = [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]
| salary = [[Executive Schedule|Executive Schedule, level I]]
| salary = [[Executive Schedule|Executive Schedule, level I]]
| website = {{url|https://www.va.gov|VA.gov}}
| website = {{url|https://www.va.gov|VA.gov}}
}}
}}
The '''United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs''' is the head of the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]], the department concerned with veterans' benefits, health care, and national veterans' memorials and cemeteries. The Secretary is a member of the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] and second to last at sixteenth in the [[United States presidential line of succession|line of succession]] to [[President of the United States|the presidency]] (the position was last until the addition of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] in 2006<ref>[http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ177.109 Public Law 109-177] §.503</ref>). Until the appointment of [[David Shulkin]] in 2017, all appointees and acting appointees to the post were United States military veterans, but that is not a requirement to fill the position.
The '''United States secretary of veterans affairs''' is the head of the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]], the department concerned with veterans' benefits, health care, and national veterans' memorials and cemeteries. The secretary is a member of the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] and second to last at sixteenth in the [[United States presidential line of succession|line of succession]] to [[President of the United States|the presidency]] (the position was last until the addition of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] in 2006<ref>[http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ177.109 Public Law 109-177] §.503</ref>). Until the appointment of [[David Shulkin]] in 2017, all appointees and acting appointees to the post were United States military veterans, but that is not a requirement to fill the position.


When the post of Secretary is vacant, the [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]]<ref name="usc">{{usc2|38|304|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs}}. Accessed January 13, 2008.</ref> or any other person designated by the President serves as Acting Secretary<ref name="usc"/> until the President nominates and the [[United States Senate]] confirms a new Secretary.
When the post of secretary is vacant, the [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs|deputy secretary]]<ref name="usc">{{usc2|38|304|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs}}. Accessed January 13, 2008.</ref> or any other person designated by the president serves as acting secretary<ref name="usc"/> until the president nominates and the [[United States Senate]] confirms a new secretary.


[[Denis McDonough]] is currently serving as the 11th secretary of veterans affairs since February 9, 2021 under President [[Joe Biden]].
President [[Joe Biden]] has nominated former White House Chief of Staff [[Denis McDonough]] as the 11th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.


==List of Secretaries of Veterans Affairs==
==List of secretaries of veterans affairs==
; Parties
; Parties
{{legend2|#EEEEEE|[[Independent (politician)|No party]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (2)
{{legend2|#EEEEEE|[[Independent (politician)|No party]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (2)
{{legend2|{{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (2)
{{legend2|{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (3)
{{legend2|{{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}}|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (6)
{{legend2|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (6)
; Status
; Status
{{legend|#E6E6AA|[[Acting (law)|Acting]] Secretary of Veterans Affairs|border=black}}{{legend|#cec1e7|Nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs|border=black}}
{{legend|#E6E6AA|[[Acting (law)|Acting]] Secretary of Veterans Affairs|border=black}}


{| class="wikitable sortable"; style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
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! Term length
! Term length
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};"|{{color|white|1}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"|{{color|white|1}}
| [[File:Ed derwinski.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Ed derwinski.jpg|75px]]
| [[Ed Derwinski]]
| [[Ed Derwinski]]
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| September 26, 1992
| September 26, 1992
| {{ayd|March 15, 1989|September 26, 1992}}
| {{ayd|March 15, 1989|September 26, 1992}}
| rowspan="2" style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |
| rowspan="2" style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
| rowspan="2" |[[George H. W. Bush]]
| rowspan="2" |[[George H. W. Bush]]
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};"| {{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"| {{color|white|–}}
| [[File:Anthony Principi.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Anthony Principi.jpg|75px]]
| [[Anthony Principi]]{{ref label|1|1|1}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Anthony Principi]]{{ref label|1|1|1}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
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| {{ayd|September 26, 1992|January 20, 1993}}
| {{ayd|September 26, 1992|January 20, 1993}}
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|2}}
! style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|2}}
| [[Image:Jesse brown va.jpg|75px]]
| [[Image:Jesse brown va.jpg|75px]]
| [[Jesse Brown]]
| [[Jesse Brown]]
| [[Illinois]]
| [[Illinois]]
| January 22, 1993
| January 22, 1993
| July 1, 1997
| July 13, 1997
| {{ayd|January 22, 1993|July 1, 1997}}
| {{ayd|January 22, 1993|July 13, 1997}}
| rowspan="5" style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |
| rowspan="5" style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
| rowspan="5" |[[Bill Clinton]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Bill Clinton]]
|- style="background:#E6E6AA;"
|- style="background:#E6E6AA;"
! style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
| [[File:Gober sm.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Gober sm.jpg|75px]]
| [[Hershel W. Gober]]{{ref label|2|2|2}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Hershel W. Gober]]{{ref label|2|2|2}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Arkansas]]
| [[Arkansas]]
| July 1, 1997
| July 13, 1997
| January 2, 1998
| January 2, 1998
| {{ayd|July 1, 1997|January 2, 1998}}
| {{ayd|July 13, 1997|January 2, 1998}}
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|3}}
! rowspan="2" style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|3}}
| rowspan=2| [[File:TogoDWest.jpg|75px]]
| rowspan=2| [[File:TogoDWest.jpg|75px]]
| rowspan=2| [[Togo D. West Jr.]]
| rowspan=2| [[Togo D. West Jr.]]
| rowspan=2| [[District of Columbia]]
| rowspan=2| [[District of Columbia]]
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| January 2, 1998{{ref label|3|3|3}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| January 2, 1998{{ref label|3|3|3}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| May 5, 1998
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| May 4, 1998
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{ayd|January 2, 1998|May 5, 1998}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{ayd|January 2, 1998|May 4, 1998}}
|-
|-
| May 5, 1998
| May 4, 1998
| July 25, 2000
| July 25, 2000
| {{ayd|May 5, 1998|July 25, 2000}}
| {{ayd|May 4, 1998|July 25, 2000}}
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
! style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
| [[File:Gober sm.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Gober sm.jpg|75px]]
| [[Hershel W. Gober]]{{ref label|2|2|2}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Hershel W. Gober]]{{ref label|2|2|2}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
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| {{ayd|July 25, 2000|January 20, 2001}}
| {{ayd|July 25, 2000|January 20, 2001}}
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|4}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|4}}
| [[File:Anthony Principi.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Anthony Principi.jpg|75px]]
| [[Anthony Principi]]
| [[Anthony Principi]]
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| January 26, 2005
| January 26, 2005
| {{ayd|January 23, 2001|January 26, 2005}}
| {{ayd|January 23, 2001|January 26, 2005}}
| rowspan="4" style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |
| rowspan="4" style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
| rowspan="4" |[[George W. Bush]]
| rowspan="4" |[[George W. Bush]]
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|5}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|5}}
| [[File:JimNicholson.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:JimNicholson.jpg|75px]]
| [[Jim Nicholson (Secretary of Veterans Affairs)|Jim Nicholson]]
| [[Jim Nicholson (Secretary of Veterans Affairs)|Jim Nicholson]]
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| {{ayd|January 26, 2005|October 1, 2007}}
| {{ayd|January 26, 2005|October 1, 2007}}
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};"| {{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"| {{color|white|–}}
| [[File:Gordon H. Mansfield.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Gordon H. Mansfield.jpg|75px]]
| [[Gordon H. Mansfield]]{{ref label|4|4|4}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Gordon H. Mansfield]]{{ref label|4|4|4}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
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| {{ayd|October 1, 2007|December 20, 2007}}
| {{ayd|October 1, 2007|December 20, 2007}}
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|6}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|6}}
| [[File:PeakeJames.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:PeakeJames.jpg|75px]]
| [[James Peake]]
| [[James Peake]]
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| May 30, 2014
| May 30, 2014
| {{ayd|January 20, 2009|May 30, 2014}}
| {{ayd|January 20, 2009|May 30, 2014}}
| rowspan="3" style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |
| rowspan="3" style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
| rowspan="3" |[[Barack Obama]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Barack Obama]]
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};"| {{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"| {{color|white|–}}
| [[File:Sloan Gibson.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Sloan Gibson.jpg|75px]]
| [[Sloan D. Gibson]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Sloan D. Gibson]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
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| {{ayd|May 30, 2014|July 30, 2014}}
| {{ayd|May 30, 2014|July 30, 2014}}
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|8}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|8}}
| [[File:Robert A. McDonald Official Portrait.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Robert A. McDonald Official Portrait.jpg|75px]]
| [[Robert A. McDonald|Bob McDonald]]
| [[Robert A. McDonald|Bob McDonald]]
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| {{ayd|July 30, 2014|January 20, 2017}}
| {{ayd|July 30, 2014|January 20, 2017}}
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};"| {{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"| {{color|white|–}}
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[File:Robert Snyder.jpg|75px]]
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[File:Robert Snyder.jpg|75px]]
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[Robert Snyder (civil servant)|Robert Snyder]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[Robert Snyder (civil servant)|Robert Snyder]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
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| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| February 14, 2017
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| February 14, 2017
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| {{ayd|January 20, 2017|February 14, 2017}}
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| {{ayd|January 20, 2017|February 14, 2017}}
| rowspan="5" style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |
| rowspan="5" style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
| rowspan="5" |[[Donald Trump]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Donald Trump]]
|-
|-
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| {{ayd|February 14, 2017|March 28, 2018}}
| {{ayd|February 14, 2017|March 28, 2018}}
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};"| {{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"| {{color|white|–}}
| [[File:Robert L. Wilkie acting SECVA official photo (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Robert L. Wilkie acting SECVA official photo (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| [[Robert Wilkie]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Robert Wilkie]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
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| {{ayd|March 28, 2018|May 29, 2018}}
| {{ayd|March 28, 2018|May 29, 2018}}
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
|-style="background:#E6E6AA;"
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};"| {{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};"| {{color|white|–}}
| [[File:Peter O'Rourke official photo (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Peter O'Rourke official photo (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| [[Peter O'Rourke (U.S. government official)|Peter O'Rourke]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
| [[Peter O'Rourke (U.S. government official)|Peter O'Rourke]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
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| {{ayd|May 29, 2018|July 30, 2018}}
| {{ayd|May 29, 2018|July 30, 2018}}
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Republican Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|10}}
! style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|10}}
| [[File:Robert Wilkie official portrait (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Robert Wilkie official portrait (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| [[Robert Wilkie]]
| [[Robert Wilkie]]
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| {{ayd|July 30, 2018|January 20, 2021}}
| {{ayd|July 30, 2018|January 20, 2021}}
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};"| {{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{Party shading/None}};"| {{color|black|–}}
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[File:Dat Tran Dept of Vet Affairs.jpg|75px]]
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[File:Acting US Secretary of VA Dat P Tran (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[Dat Tran]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| [[Dat Tran]]<br>{{small|Acting}}
|style="background:#E6E6AA;"|
|style="background:#E6E6AA;"|
[[Ohio]]
[[Ohio]]
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| January 20, 2021
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| January 20, 2021
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| ''Incumbent''
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| February 9, 2021
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| {{ayd|January 20, 2021}}
| style="background:#E6E6AA;"| {{ayd|January 20, 2021|February 9, 2021}}
| rowspan="2" style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |
| rowspan="2" style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
| rowspan="2" |[[Joe Biden]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Joe Biden]]
|-
|-
! style="background: {{Democratic Party (United States)/meta/color}};" |{{color|white|–}}
! style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|11}}
| style="background:#cec1e7;" |[[File:Denis McDonough 2011.jpg|frameless|91x91px]]
| style="background:#FFF;" |[[File:Secretary McDonough, official photo (cropped).jpg|frameless|91x91px]]
| style="background:#cec1e7;" |[[Denis McDonough]]
| style="background:#FFF;" |[[Denis McDonough]]
| style="background:#cec1e7;" |[[Minnesota]]
| style="background:#FFF;" |[[Minnesota]]
| style="background:#cec1e7;" |''Nominee''
| style="background:#FFF;" |February 9, 2021
| style="background:#cec1e7;" |''—''
| style="background:#FFF;" |''Incumbent''
| style="background:#cec1e7;" |''—''
| style="background:#FFF;" |{{ayd|February 9, 2021}}
|-
|-
|}
|}
{{note label|1|1|1}} [[Anthony Principi]] served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] September 26, 1992 – January 20, 1993.
{{note label|1|1|1}} [[Anthony Principi]] served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] September 26, 1992 – January 20, 1993.


{{note label|2|2|2}} [[Hershel W. Gober]] served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] July 1, 1997 – January 2, 1998 and July 25, 2000 – January 20, 2001.<ref name="vagober">{{cite press release |title=Gober Takes Over Top Spot at VA |publisher=Department of Veterans Affairs |date=July 25, 2000 |url=http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=203 |access-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713131352/http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=203 |archive-date=July 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
{{note label|2|2|2}} [[Hershel W. Gober]] served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] July 13, 1997 – January 2, 1998 and July 25, 2000 – January 20, 2001.<ref name="vagober">{{cite press release |title=Gober Takes Over Top Spot at VA |publisher=Department of Veterans Affairs |date=July 25, 2000 |url=http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=203 |access-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713131352/http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=203 |archive-date=July 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


{{note label|3|3|3}} West served as Acting Secretary from January 2, 1998<ref name="WH">{{cite press release |title=President Clinton Names Togo D. West Jr. As Acting Secretary Of The Department Of Veterans' Affairs |publisher=White House |date=December 2, 1997 |url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/12/1997-12-02-togo-west-named-acting-secretary-at-veterans-affairs.html |access-date=September 9, 2009}}</ref> to May 5, 1998.<ref name="vawest">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=The Honorable Togo D. West Jr. |publisher=[[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]] |date=May 1999 |url=http://www.va.gov/biographies/west.htm |access-date=September 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000304153405/http://www.va.gov/biographies/west.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2000}}</ref>
{{note label|3|3|3}} West served as Acting Secretary from January 2, 1998<ref name="WH">{{cite press release |title=President Clinton Names Togo D. West Jr. As Acting Secretary Of The Department Of Veterans' Affairs |publisher=White House |date=December 2, 1997 |url=http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/12/1997-12-02-togo-west-named-acting-secretary-at-veterans-affairs.html |access-date=September 9, 2009 |archive-date=October 5, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005221525/http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/12/1997-12-02-togo-west-named-acting-secretary-at-veterans-affairs.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> to May 4, 1998.<ref name="vawest">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=The Honorable Togo D. West Jr. |publisher=[[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]] |date=May 1999 |url=http://www.va.gov/biographies/west.htm |access-date=September 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000304153405/http://www.va.gov/biographies/west.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2000}}</ref>


{{note label|4|4|4}} [[Gordon H. Mansfield]] served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] October 1 – December 20, 2007.<ref>UPI. [http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/20/peake_sworn_in_as_va_secretary/3728/ Peake sworn in as VA secretary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204184536/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/20/peake_sworn_in_as_va_secretary/3728/ |date=February 4, 2008 }}, December 20, 2007. Accessed December 21, 2007.</ref>
{{note label|4|4|4}} [[Gordon H. Mansfield]] served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs|Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] October 1 – December 20, 2007.<ref>UPI. [http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/20/peake_sworn_in_as_va_secretary/3728/ Peake sworn in as VA secretary] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204184536/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/20/peake_sworn_in_as_va_secretary/3728/ |date=February 4, 2008 }}, December 20, 2007. Accessed December 21, 2007.</ref>

==Living former Secretaries of Veterans Affairs==
{{see also|List of living former members of the United States Cabinet}}
As of {{Monthyear}}, there are seven living former Secretaries of Veterans Affairs (with all Secretaries that have served since 2001 still living), the oldest being [[Jim Nicholson (Secretary of Veterans Affairs)|Jim Nicholson]] (served 2005–2007, born 1938). The most recent Secretary of Veterans Affairs to die, as well as the recently serving Secretary to die, was [[Togo D. West Jr.]] (served 1998–2000, born 1942), on March 8, 2018.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name!!Term of office!!Date of birth (and age)
|-
|[[Anthony Principi]]
|2001–2005
|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1944|4|16}}
|-
|[[Jim Nicholson (Secretary of Veterans Affairs)|Jim Nicholson]]
|2005–2007
|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1938|2|4}}
|-
|[[James Peake]]
|2007–2009
|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1944|6|18}}
|-
|[[Eric Shinseki]]
|2009–2014
|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1942|11|28}}
|-
|[[Robert A. McDonald]]
|2014–2017
|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1953|6|20}}
|-
|[[David Shulkin]]
|2017–2018
|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1959|7|22}}
|-
|[[Robert Wilkie]]
|2018–2021
|{{birth date and age|mf=yes|1962|8|2}}
⚫
|}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Administrator of Veterans Affairs (United States)]]
*[[Administrator of Veterans Affairs]]
*[[Veterans Health Administration]]
*[[Veterans Health Administration]]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:United States Secretary Of Veterans Affairs}}
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[[Category:Cabinet of the United States|Veterans Affairs]]
[[Category:Cabinet of the United States|Veterans Affairs]]

Latest revision as of 20:07, 2 April 2024

United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Seal of the department
Flag of the secretary
Incumbent
Denis McDonough
since February 9, 2021
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
StyleMr. Secretary (informal)
The Honorable (formal)
Member ofUnited States Cabinet
Reports toPresident of the United States
SeatWashington, D.C.
AppointerThe President of the United States
with Senate advice and consent
Term lengthNo fixed term
Constituting instrument38 U.S.C. § 303
FormationMarch 15, 1989
First holderEd Derwinski
SuccessionSeventeenth[1]
DeputyUnited States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
SalaryExecutive Schedule, level I
WebsiteVA.gov

The United States secretary of veterans affairs is the head of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the department concerned with veterans' benefits, health care, and national veterans' memorials and cemeteries. The secretary is a member of the Cabinet and second to last at sixteenth in the line of succession to the presidency (the position was last until the addition of the United States Department of Homeland Security in 2006[2]). Until the appointment of David Shulkin in 2017, all appointees and acting appointees to the post were United States military veterans, but that is not a requirement to fill the position.

When the post of secretary is vacant, the deputy secretary[3] or any other person designated by the president serves as acting secretary[3] until the president nominates and the United States Senate confirms a new secretary.

Denis McDonough is currently serving as the 11th secretary of veterans affairs since February 9, 2021 under President Joe Biden.

List of secretaries of veterans affairs[edit]

Parties

  No party (2)   Democratic (3)   Republican (6)

Status
  Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs
No. Secretary Term of office President(s)
Portrait Name State of residence Took office Left office Term length
1 Ed Derwinski Illinois March 15, 1989 September 26, 1992 3 years, 195 days George H. W. Bush
– Anthony Principi[1]
Acting 		California September 26, 1992 January 20, 1993 116 days
2 Jesse Brown Illinois January 22, 1993 July 13, 1997 4 years, 172 days Bill Clinton
– Hershel W. Gober[2]
Acting 		Arkansas July 13, 1997 January 2, 1998 173 days
3 Togo D. West Jr. District of Columbia January 2, 1998[3] May 4, 1998 122 days
May 4, 1998 July 25, 2000 2 years, 82 days
– Hershel W. Gober[2]
Acting 		Arkansas July 25, 2000 January 20, 2001 179 days
4 Anthony Principi California January 23, 2001 January 26, 2005 4 years, 3 days George W. Bush
5 Jim Nicholson Colorado January 26, 2005 October 1, 2007 2 years, 248 days
– Gordon H. Mansfield[4]
Acting 		Florida October 1, 2007 December 20, 2007 80 days
6 James Peake District of Columbia December 20, 2007 January 20, 2009 1 year, 31 days
7 Eric Shinseki Hawaii January 20, 2009 May 30, 2014 5 years, 130 days Barack Obama
– Sloan D. Gibson
Acting 		Alabama May 30, 2014 July 30, 2014 61 days
8 Bob McDonald Ohio July 30, 2014 January 20, 2017 2 years, 174 days
– Robert Snyder
Acting 		West Virginia January 20, 2017 February 14, 2017 25 days Donald Trump
9 David Shulkin Pennsylvania February 14, 2017 March 28, 2018 1 year, 42 days
– Robert Wilkie
Acting 		North Carolina March 28, 2018 May 29, 2018 62 days
– Peter O'Rourke
Acting 		Virginia May 29, 2018 July 30, 2018 62 days
10 Robert Wilkie North Carolina July 30, 2018 January 20, 2021 2 years, 174 days
– Dat Tran
Acting

Ohio

January 20, 2021 February 9, 2021 20 days Joe Biden
11 Denis McDonough Minnesota February 9, 2021 Incumbent 3 years, 103 days

1 Anthony Principi served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs September 26, 1992 – January 20, 1993.

2 Hershel W. Gober served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs July 13, 1997 – January 2, 1998 and July 25, 2000 – January 20, 2001.[4]

3 West served as Acting Secretary from January 2, 1998[5] to May 4, 1998.[6]

4 Gordon H. Mansfield served as Acting Secretary in his capacity as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs October 1 – December 20, 2007.[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "3 U.S. Code § 19 - Vacancy in offices of both President and Vice President; officers eligible to act".
  2. ^ Public Law 109-177 §.503
  3. ^ a b 38 U.S.C. § 304: Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Accessed January 13, 2008.
  4. ^ "Gober Takes Over Top Spot at VA" (Press release). Department of Veterans Affairs. July 25, 2000. Archived from the original on July 13, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  5. ^ "President Clinton Names Togo D. West Jr. As Acting Secretary Of The Department Of Veterans' Affairs" (Press release). White House. December 2, 1997. Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
  6. ^ Staff (May 1999). "The Honorable Togo D. West Jr". United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Archived from the original on March 4, 2000. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
  7. ^ UPI. Peake sworn in as VA secretary Archived February 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, December 20, 2007. Accessed December 21, 2007.

External links[edit]

U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Secretary of Education Order of precedence of the United States
as Secretary of Veterans Affairs 		Succeeded byas Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. presidential line of succession
Preceded by 17th in line Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_States_Secretary_of_Veterans_Affairs&oldid=1216928469"