Denis McDonough
Bio | McDonough is the newly-appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the Biden Administration. Previously, he has served as Chief of Staff of the National Security Council (2009-2010), Deputy National Security Advisor (2010-2013), and White House Chief of Staff during Obama’s second term in office. McDonough graduated from Saint John’s University with a Bachelor’s in history and Spanish and received a Master’s degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. |
Status and Position | Current Secretary of Veteran's Affairs of White House Staff |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Democrat, White House Staff |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
Campaign Financing | No campaign funding information is known. |
Voting Rights | No clear stance on issue. |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | Nuance | Although McDonough has not said much on the subject of universal healthcare, he was a crucial part in helping to implement the Affordable Care Act under the Obama Administration and advocates for improved healthcare access for veterans under the VA. Source: https://www.aha.org/press-releases/2020-12-10-statement-nomination-denis-mcdonough-va-secretary, https://twitter.com/DenisMcDonough/status/1338539027448950786 McDonough served as White House Chief of Staff under the Obama Administration, a role in which he helped to implement the Affordable Care Act, expanding healthcare coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. He has also addressed improved healthcare for veterans as one of his main goals during his term as Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the Biden-Harris Administration. Source: https://www.aha.org/press-releases/2020-12-10-statement-nomination-denis-mcdonough-va-secretary, https://twitter.com/DenisMcDonough/status/1338539027448950786 |
| Socialized Healthcare | Nuance | McDonough has not spoken on the topic of socialized healthcare, however his support in implementing Obamacare and his call for improved healthcare for veterans shows some support for socialized measures. Source: https://www.aha.org/press-releases/2020-12-10-statement-nomination-denis-mcdonough-va-secretary, https://twitter.com/DenisMcDonough/status/1338539027448950786 |
| Private Healthcare | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| LGBT Rights | For | McDonough has pledged that one of his main goals for his term as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is to make the VA more welcoming for LGBTQ+ folx. Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/12/va-secretary-pick-mcdonough-pledges-fight-hell-better-care-and-benefits.html McDonough has endorsed his support of minority veterans in a recent statement, expressing his goal of "making our VA welcoming to all veterans, including our women veterans, veterans of color, and LGBTQ+ veterans." Source: https://twitter.com/DenisMcDonough/status/1338539027448950786 |
| Taxes | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Flat Tax Rate | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Abortion | Nuance | McDonough has not expressed much in terms of his own stance on abortion, however he has supported bipartisan efforts to compromise on the issue of abortion and find common ground, although he has acknowledged this may be very difficult or not even possible at all. Source: https://bowdoinorient.com/2018/09/21/former-chief-of-staff-highlights-the-importance-of-public-service/, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-obama-pope/obama-tells-pope-he-wants-to-reduce-abortions-in-u-s-idUSTRE5693XC20090710 McDonough has supported Obama's efforts to find a middle ground on the issue of abortion with the Pope of the Catholic Church, however McDonough himself has expressed that he believes the Catholic Church is too narrowly focused on issues like abortion versus other issues like tolerance and inclusion. Source: https://bowdoinorient.com/2018/09/21/former-chief-of-staff-highlights-the-importance-of-public-service/, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-obama-pope/obama-tells-pope-he-wants-to-reduce-abortions-in-u-s-idUSTRE5693XC20090710 |
| Gun Control | For | McDonough has advocated for "common sense" gun laws like background checks in order to reduce the prevalence of gun violence. Source: https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2016/01/10/mcdonough-on-sanders-gun-control-position-we-have-seen-some-movement-on-this-since-the-op-ed-appeared-if-that-continues-we-think-thats-good/, https://everytown.org/press/everytown-responds-to-denis-mcdonoughs-nomination-to-lead-the-va/ McDonough has expressed support for Senator Bernie Sanders' gun control proposals, advocated for the Machin-Toomey background checks proposal, and has been endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, a pro-gun control advocacy organization. Source: https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2016/01/10/mcdonough-on-sanders-gun-control-position-we-have-seen-some-movement-on-this-since-the-op-ed-appeared-if-that-continues-we-think-thats-good/, https://everytown.org/press/everytown-responds-to-denis-mcdonoughs-nomination-to-lead-the-va/ |
| Assisted Suicide | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. McDonough has expressed support for Senator Bernie Sanders' gun control proposals, advocated for the Machin-Toomey background checks proposal, and has been endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety, a pro-gun control advocacy organization. Source: https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2016/01/10/mcdonough-on-sanders-gun-control-position-we-have-seen-some-movement-on-this-since-the-op-ed-appeared-if-that-continues-we-think-thats-good/, https://everytown.org/press/everytown-responds-to-denis-mcdonoughs-nomination-to-lead-the-va/ |
| Government Interference | Nuance | McDonough supports government interference on issues such as the expansion of healthcare and welfare services, particularly to veterans, the implementation of clean energy technologies and extension of these technologies to developing countries and vulnerable communities, the expansion of educational and employment opportunities, and the protection of civil rights, just to name a few issues in which he sees government intervention as appropriate. Source: https://twitter.com/DenisMcDonough/status/1338539027448950786, https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2020/12/22/my-pledge-to-our-nations-veterans/, https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2007/06/01/3172/balancing-our-climate-debt-the-group-of-eight-have-an-obligation/, https://fordschool.umich.edu/video/2020/denis-mcdonough-new-frontiers-labor-immigration-and-foreign-policy |
| Planned Parenthood | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Welfare | For | McDonough is an avid supporter of veterans' welfare and seeks to make a number of reforms to strengthen and expand welfare programs as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the Biden Administration. Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wounded-warrior-project-supports-mcdonough-nomination-301190864.html, https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2020/12/22/my-pledge-to-our-nations-veterans/ McDonough has supported welfare measures for veterans such as quality healthcare, employment and educational opportunities, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ veterans, veterans of color, and women veterans. He also seeks to address veteran homelessness and mental health issues. McDonough has been supported by the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides welfare, programs, and services to wounded veterans. Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wounded-warrior-project-supports-mcdonough-nomination-301190864.html, https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2020/12/22/my-pledge-to-our-nations-veterans/ |
| Welfare | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Death Penalty | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Military Spending | For | McDonough has voiced his support for the war on ISIS overseas, although he has acknowledged the fight against terror does not necessarily require the same resources as the war in Iraq. He also advocates for strengthening VA services such as healthcare, employment and education opportunities, and support for homeless veterans. Source: https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2020/12/22/my-pledge-to-our-nations-veterans/, https://www.nbcnews.com/video/denis-mcdonough-isis-a-war-we-have-to-win-329010243679 |
| War on Terrorism | For | McDonough has stated that the United States is at war with ISIL/ISIS and that it's a "war we have to win." He does not see the war on terror as similar to the Iraqi War in that this war does not require the same resources and amount of ground troops, however he has emphasized its significance in protecting the nation. Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/video/denis-mcdonough-isis-a-war-we-have-to-win-329010243679 |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | For | McDonough has called for Congress to check the power of the White House in terms of foreign policy and military action and proposes the formation of a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Aside from military affiars, he also believes the US should help developing countries transition to clean energy in an effort to combat climate change. Source: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2018-12-17/can-congress-stop-forever-war, https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2007/06/01/3172/balancing-our-climate-debt-the-group-of-eight-have-an-obligation/ McDonough believes that Congressional oversight is necessary to ensure that foreign policy decisions from the White House are in line with Congressional policy. He sees the creation of a new AUMF as a way for Congress to reassert their power over foreign policy matters relating to the war in Iraq. He has also called for the US and other developed countries to take action to assist developing countries in implementing clean energy technologies and reducing carbon emissions, arguing that climate change places a disproportionate burden on them. Source: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2018-12-17/can-congress-stop-forever-war |
| United Nations power | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Nationalism | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Free Markets | Nuance | McDonough supports the free market and capitalist system, however he advocates for the creation of more education, training, and employment opportunities in order to give individuals more access to the labor market regardless of their background. Source: https://fordschool.umich.edu/video/2020/denis-mcdonough-new-frontiers-labor-immigration-and-foreign-policy McDonough is the Senior Advisor at the Markle Foundation, which seeks to provide training opportunities to "create a skills-based labor market that enables all Americans to succeed in the digital economy." He is working on an initiative with Markle called Skillful, which seeks to assist Americans without college degrees in obtaining training and acquiring new skills so that they can participate in the digital economy. He advocates that companies should invest in their workers through training and "skilling". Source: https://fordschool.umich.edu/video/2020/denis-mcdonough-new-frontiers-labor-immigration-and-foreign-policy, Source: https://fordschool.umich.edu/video/2020/denis-mcdonough-new-frontiers-labor-immigration-and-foreign-policy, https://www.markle.org/about-markle/media-release/denis-mcdonough-joins-markle-foundation |
| Brexit | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Affirmative Action | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Government Spending | For | McDonouth has favored government spending in regards to the strengthening and expansion of VA programs like healthcare, housing assistance, and employment/education opportunities, as well as investing in the expansion of clean energy technologies and the enactment of policies that make these technologies more accessible to developing countries and vulnerable communities. Source: https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2020/12/22/my-pledge-to-our-nations-veterans/, https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2007/06/01/3172/balancing-our-climate-debt-the-group-of-eight-have-an-obligation/ |
| Charter Schools | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Common Core | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Clean Energy | For | McDonough has called for the "G8" countries (the US, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Canada, and Russia) to support vulnerable communities in implementing clean energy technology and reducing fossil fuel emissions, arguing that these countries will be disproportionately burdened by climate change. Source: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2007/06/01/3172/balancing-our-climate-debt-the-group-of-eight-have-an-obligation/ Measures that McDonough advocates for in order to address climate change in developing countries are to ensure that a portion of all export-import bank credit is utilized to advance clean-energy projects and extend the loan repayment time for these energy projects, to provide funding to the Department of Commerce in order to hire Foreign Commercial Service Officers in developing countries that will facilitate local clean energy projects, an increase in funding to expand developing countries' access to clean energy technology, and to establish provisions for investments in clean energy and carbon finance within the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Source: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2007/06/01/3172/balancing-our-climate-debt-the-group-of-eight-have-an-obligation/ |
| Religious Freedom | For | McDonough expressed his support for religious freedom and tolerance in a press release he made in light on the attack on the Libyan consulate, in which he upholds religious freedom but condemns acts of violence in the name of religion. Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/12/remarks-denis-mcdonough-international-religious-freedom McDonough supports every person's right to practice the religion of their choice, however he strongly opposes any ideology which promotes violence against others. He identifies as a Catholic, but upholds everyone's freedom of belief as a central tenant of the Constitution and a founding principle of the United States. Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/12/remarks-denis-mcdonough-international-religious-freedom |
| Separation of Church and State | For | McDonough believes that freedom of religion is a universal human right that cannot be infringed upon by instituions or violated by law. He advocates for this freedom not just for the United States, but for every nation and community. Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/12/remarks-denis-mcdonough-international-religious-freedom |
| Slavery Reparations | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Border Control | Nuance | While McDonough advocates for securing the national border, he opposes inhumane treatment of migrants and advocates for greater acceptance and resettlement of refugees. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/11/opinion/immigration-trump-border.html, https://www.georgetownjournalofinternationalaffairs.org/online-edition/2018/11/29/denis-mcdonough-on-the-future-of-migration, https://www.cgdev.org/blog/nation-immigrants-denis-mcdonough-cgd-podcast McDonough has condemned Trump's handling of securing the border and instead calls for more humane treatment of migrants and greater pathways for citizenship, such as through DACA, as well as the resettlement of refugees. He sees this not only as an ethical way to go about securing the border, but also a way to strengthen the economy by allowing migrants and refugees to contribute to it. Source: |
| Passenger Profiling | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| DACA | For | McDonough supports DACA, arguing that it has contributed to the US economy and military force greatly and given aid to those from conflict-ridden regions. He has opposed the Trump Administration's efforts to repeal DACA due to the costly reparations, the loss in migrant service members, and the fueling of conflict abroad particularly in Central America, that would exacerbate strains on the US-Mexico border. Source: https://www.axios.com/ending-daca-add-risks-us-security-regional-stability-7498b6e8-fb93-498f-afe0-3a49ecb48f44.html, https://americasvoice.org/press_releases/icymi-mcdonough-ending-daca-could-add-risks-to-u-s-security-and-regional-stability/ |
| Sanctuary Cities | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Legalizing Marijuana | Nuance | McDonough voted against a meaure which would have added the legalization of marijuana as a plank to the Democratic Party's 2020 platform, although his personal policy views surrounding the legalization of marijuana are unknown. Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/congressional-cannabis-caucus-leader-votes-against-legalization-plank-for-democratic-platform/ |