Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday that he fully endorses Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald, despite a call by one GOP lawmaker that he should resign for comparing VA wait times to the long lines at a Disney theme park.
“I support Secretary McDonald all the way,” Reid said.
The Nevada Democrat prefaced his support by reminding reporters, “I’m an expert on poor choice of words,” which is a reference to Reid’s numerous floor flubs over the years.
“I’m sure he would be the first to tell you, following my example, [that] saying the wrong things is not the best way to go,” Reid said.
McDonald told reporters Monday that the reforms at the embattled VA should be measured by satisfaction and not the wait times endured by veterans seeking care, comparing it to a Disney park, where there are long lines but happy customers.
“I think he could have done a better job talking about Disney Land,” Reid said of McDonald. “He is a good man and he is doing the best he can under the circumstances.”
McDonald’s remarks sparked outrage among Republicans and Democrats, who said the VA’s failures have led to real problems veterans have getting healthcare. But McDonald and the VA have refused to apologize.
When asked on MSNBC Tuesday morning whether he wanted to apologize, McDonald didn’t go that far. “If I was misunderstood or if I said the wrong thing, I’m glad that I’ve had the opportunity to correct it,” he added.
Later, at a Senate hearing, VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson said only that the VA has “regret” that McDonald’s remarks created controversy.
