The state's Veterans Commissioner has waited a long time for this day. On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate approved Linda Schwartz to a high level position at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Schwartz said she’s very excited. "It's been a long year," she said.
Schwartz was nominated by President Obama last August to become the VA's Assistant Secretary of Policy and Planning. Senate approval of her appointment was stalled along with several other VA positions in a year of bad press about the federal agency.
One of the biggest scandals was reports of some VA staff who hid the actual amount of time veterans had to wait for health care appointments so staff could receive bonuses. The heightened scrutiny led to the resignation of former Secretary Eric Shinseki.
Schwartz has been a long-time supporter of the retired Army General, but said the agency's upheaval is leading to positive changes. "The atmosphere for change is better now than it's ever been," she said. "With the new Secretary bringing much needed experience to the job, it's a very different ballgame than it was a year ago. At the same time, much of this needed to happen in order for us to bring the VA into the 21st century.”
Schwartz said she's honored to move into this new job, which will focus on the agency's accountability, as well as working with the Department of Defense on transitioning service members to civilian life. She also praised the business background that VA Secretary Bob McDonald brings to the agency.
Just minutes after the Senate vote, Schwartz heard from her new boss when he called her cell phone. "This is the secretary," she said. "I think I'm going to have to take this.”
Schwartz, a Vietnam veteran, has led the state VA since 2003. She's been one of the state's most visible commissioners and has this to say to the veterans’ community. "I’m not going to Washington to make my name or fortune," she said. "When I come home, I want to look them straight in the eye, and say I did my best."
Governor Malloy announced that Schwartz’s deputy, Joseph Perkins, will serve in the role of acting commissioner of the state agency while they search for her replacement.
U.S Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy praised her confirmation, saying, “Connecticut and all of our veterans will have a strong advocate at the VA.”
The Connecticut House delegation said, “Linda brings a lifetime of expertise and hands-on experience to an agency that needs more people like her in top positions.”
