Denis McDonough

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Denis McDonough
Image of Denis McDonough

Nonpartisan

U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Tenure

2021 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

3

Predecessor
Prior offices
Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council
Deputy National Security Advisor
White House Chief of Staff

Education

Bachelor's

St. John's University

Graduate

Georgetown University

Personal
Religion
Christian: Catholic

Denis Richard McDonough is the secretary of veterans affairs in the Biden administration.[1] The Senate confirmed his nomination on February 8, 2021, by a vote of 87-7. He is the second non-veteran to hold the office.[2]

He is a former White House chief of staff to President Barack Obama.[3] He held this role from February 2013 to January 2017.[1]

McDonough also previously served as deputy national security advisor and chief of the White House national security staff for Obama. He previously worked on Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.[4]

Biography

McDonough was born in Stillwater, Minnesota, and graduated from St. John's University. He earned his master's degree from Georgetown University before beginning his career in politics.[5] He worked in the U.S. House of Representatives in policy and leadership positions, including as a professional staff member on the International Relations Committee. He was also a White House chief of staff and principal deputy national security advisor in the Obama administration.[1]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of McDonough's academic, professional, and political career:[5]

  • 2021-Present: Secretary of veterans affairs
  • 2013-2017: White House chief of staff
  • 2010-2013: Deputy national security advisor
  • 2009-2010: Acting chief of staff of the National Security Council
  • 2009-2010: Director of strategic communications for the National Security Council
  • 2008-2009: Member of Barack Obama's transition team
  • 2006-2008: Foreign policy advisor for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign
  • 2004-2006: Senior fellow at the Center for American Progress
  • 1999-2004: Foreign policy advisor for Sen. Tom Daschle
  • 1996-1999: Staffer for the House International Relations Committee
  • 1996: Earned master's degree from Georgetown University
  • 1992: Graduated from St. John's University

Nomination for secretary of veterans affairs

See also: Joe Biden presidential transition and Confirmation process for Denis McDonough for secretary of veterans affairs
Joe Biden's Cabinet
Candidate: Denis McDonough
Position: Secretary of Veterans Affairs
ApprovedaAnnounced:December 10, 2020
ApprovedaHearing:January 27, 2021
ApprovedaCommittee:Veterans Affairs
ApprovedaReported:Favorable (Unanimous)
ApprovedaConfirmed:February 8, 2021
ApprovedaVote:87-7

On December 10, 2020, former Vice President Joe Biden (D) announced he would nominate McDonough to serve as secretary of veterans affairs in his administration.[1]

McDonough said during his confirmation hearing, "As a former White House chief of staff, I bring a deep and extensive knowledge of government. I understand how to untangle and solve large, complex challenges, both across and within large agencies.”[6]

The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs held McDonough's confirmation hearing on January 27, 2021. The Senate confirmed McDonough on February 8, 2021, by a vote of 87-7.[7]

Summary of Senate vote on Denis McDonough's nomination for secretary of veterans affairs (February 8, 2021)
Party Votes for Votes against Not voting
Democratic Party Democrats 48 0 0
Republican Party Republicans 37 7 6
Grey.png Independents 2 0 0
Totals 87 7 6


Click on the following table to view the full roll call.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
McDonough and his spouse have three children.[4]

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term Denis + McDonough + Chief + Staff

Denis McDonough News Feed

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Biden-Harris Transition, "President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of His Administration," December 10, 2020
  2. ↑ Military.com, "'Steep Learning Curve:' Muted Response to VA Secretary Nominee from Veterans Groups," December 11, 2020
  3. ↑ Politico, "Obama names Denis McDonough new White House chief of staff," accessed January 25, 2013
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Huffington Post, "Biographical information for Denis McDonough," accessed January 25, 2013
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Washington Post, "Denis McDonough," accessed January 22, 2013
  6. ↑ Government Executive, "Biden's VA Pick Says He Can 'Unstick Problems' Within the Bureaucracy," January 27, 2021
  7. ↑ NPR, "Senate Confirms Denis McDonough To Head Veterans Affairs Department," February 8, 2021

Political offices
Preceded by
Dat Tran 		U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs
2021-Present		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
- 		White House Chief of Staff
2013-2017		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
- 		Deputy National Security Advisor
2010-2013		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
- 		Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council
2009-2010		 Succeeded by
-
v • e
U.S. Executive Branch
Elected offices
President Joe Biden • Vice President Kamala Harris
Executive-Branch-Logo.png
Executive departments
Cabinet-level offices
Federally appointed offices
Glossary
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