WASHINGTON, April 26 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Thursday after Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson withdrew his nomination to lead the VA:

“Former VA Secretary David Shulkin was fired because he opposed the Trump Administration’s desire to privatize the VA. Following Dr. Jackson’s withdrawal, I would hope that President Trump will submit a new nominee who has the experience necessary to run the agency, who sides with every major veterans’ organization in vigorously opposing the privatization of the VA, and who will work to quickly fill the more than 30,000 staff vacancies at the VA so that our veterans can get the care they have earned and deserve. Our job is to strengthen the VA in order to provide high-quality care to our veterans, not dismantle it.”