DEMS/GOP/NOMINATIONS/TRUMP PEOPLE/VA: “Capitol Hill was once again flung into damage control mode Tuesday [4-24-18] as Republicans and Democrats attempted to understand the severity of allegations being made against Ronny Jackson, the President’s pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s a scenario that some lawmakers argue has become all too familiar in the Trump era, a side effect of a President who prizes loyalty above all else in nominees and a White House that they say doesn’t vet nominees thoroughly enough before sending them to the Senate for consideration…CNN has reported that members of the VA committee are investigating allegations against Jackson from whistleblowers that include questionable behavior including excessive drinking and a ‘toxic’ work environment under his leadership, according to two former White House medical staff members who have spoken with the committee. While Jackson has denied the allegations, Hill Republicans were consumed Tuesday with managing yet another optics crisis for the White House.”
-Lauren Fox, “Some lawmakers fear White House vetting isn’t good enough on nominees,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, April 24, 2018 4:37 pm