Today, on the latest episode of his show, Conversations with Kai, Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02) sat down with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis McDonough to discuss issues important to veterans and their families in Hawaiʻi and throughout the country.
Congressman Kahele and Secretary McDonough discussed the Secretary’s priorities and vision for the VA as well as addressed some of the longstanding challenges facing veterans in Hawaiʻi’s second congressional district and throughout the Pacific. They had a meaningful conversation about strengthening care for veterans in rural and remote areas; expanding telehealth and mental health services; addressing military sexual assault; and finding opportunities for the VA and Department of Defense to work together to better serve our veterans.
Secretary McDonough is the 11th U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Before coming to the VA, Secretary McDonough served as the 26th White House chief of staff under President Barack Obama, working across the cabinet to develop and execute critical U.S. priorities in national security and domestic policy.