In a vote that revealed deep partisan fault lines, the U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Cheryl Mason as the new Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, placing a longtime VA advisor and former appeals board chair at the helm of the agency's internal investigations.

The 53-45 vote fell largely along party lines, with all opposition coming from Senate Democrats.

Mason, who previously made history as the first woman to chair the VA’s Board of Veterans Appeals, now steps into a role that has become increasingly politicized in recent years.

Her confirmation follows months of scrutiny over her close ties to senior VA officials and her previous work with both the Trump and Biden administrations.

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Mason succeeds Mike Missal, who served as VA Inspector General from April 2016 until January 2025. Missal’s abrupt dismissal by President Donald Trump — part of a broader wave of firings of federal watchdogs — remains legally contested.

Missal and seven other former inspectors general are suing the Trump White House, alleging their removals were politically motivated and lacked proper justification.

The controversy surrounding those dismissals loomed large over Mason’s nomination. Many Democrats expressed concern that her appointment signaled a continuation of efforts to place administration-aligned figures in traditionally independent oversight roles.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, led the opposition to Mason’s appointment. In remarks ahead of the vote, he criticized Mason as “one of the most partisan and least independent we’ve seen in nominees for an inspector general post in recent years.”

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Blumenthal pointed specifically to Mason’s collaboration with VA Secretary Doug Collins on staffing reforms and her advisory role during Trump’s presidential transition as evidence of compromised impartiality.

Despite the objections, Mason defended her independence during her June confirmation hearing. “I consider myself to be an impartial, independent aide to the department,” she told senators.

“I am loyal to the veterans. That’s who I serve. That’s who I’m loyal to. I work for the president and the [VA] secretary, but also, if confirmed, I will work for this committee.”

That pledge, however, did not assuage Democratic concerns.

Her confirmation had been delayed by multiple holds from Democratic senators, who cited both her qualifications and broader issues within the department, including proposed budget cuts and ongoing concerns about transparency.

Republican leaders, eager to push through key administration appointments before the Senate's August recess, prioritized Mason’s confirmation as part of a broader push to clear stalled nominations.

“This is about restoring proper oversight and putting competent leadership in place,” one GOP aide said, pointing to Mason’s decades of experience within the VA.

Mason’s supporters also pointed to her personal ties to the veteran community. Both the wife and daughter of military veterans, she has long championed employment opportunities for military spouses.

Her career at the VA includes service during both Republican and Democratic administrations, which supporters argue demonstrates her professional consistency and ability to navigate shifting political landscapes.

“She understands the system, she knows the needs of veterans, and she’s got the right heart for this job,” said one Republican senator who voted for her confirmation. “We need oversight that works — not just political theater.”

Mason’s confirmation places her in a critical role at a time when the VA is under heightened scrutiny.

The department faces ongoing challenges related to healthcare delivery, disability claims processing, and workforce retention.

As Inspector General, Mason will be responsible for leading investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse, and for producing reports that inform both Congress and the public.

She is expected to be sworn into her new role in the coming days.

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