WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced President Trump’s nominee for General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Lieutenant Colonel James Baehr of New Orleans, Louisiana, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“In Louisiana, James is known for his passion for service,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Currently, he serves as a military judge in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and on the Louisiana Veterans Affairs Commission, where he has been a tireless advocate for Louisiana’s veterans. But this just scratches the surface of his impressive career.”
“I am confident that James will bring legal excellence, integrity, and a mission-first mindset to the role of General Counsel. And most of all, I know he will put our veterans at the forefront of every decision he makes,” concluded Dr. Cassidy. “He has my full support.”
Cassidy’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:
Thank you, Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal.
Today I have the privilege to introduce Lieutenant Colonel James Baehr for his nomination as General Counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
I also want to welcome his wife, Jasmine, and their newborn son, James, Jr.
Secretary Collins will try to say he’s hiring a fellow Georgian, but Louisiana is going to claim James.
In Louisiana, James is known for his passion for service. And I know he will bring this passion to the VA.
Currently, he serves as a military judge in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and on the Louisiana Veterans Affairs Commission, where he has been a tireless advocate for Louisiana’s veterans.
But this just scratches the surface of his impressive career.
James has served in the Marine Corps for nearly 20 years as a defense counsel, a Civil Affairs officer, and was deployed during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq as a staff officer for Lt. General Paul Funk.
It was during his time under General Funk, that James earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Joint Service Achievement Medal.
These accolades can speak for themselves, but having a statement of support from a General doesn’t hurt either.
In a statement submitted to this committee, General Funk states that James’ “personal leadership contributed to the superb success of our mission. This great Marine officer did what Marines do, he added clarity to chaos, and competence where calamity once prevailed. In a complex operational environment, Lieutenant Colonel Baehr played a key role in shaping how our mission was seen by the outside world. His work reflected not just logistical excellence, but sound judgment and strategic insight.”
Off the battlefield, James prosecuted violent crime and civil corruption as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Louisiana. He also clerked on the Fifth Circuit and advised President Trump on veterans’ issues as a Special Assistant to the President during his first term.
While advising the White House, he worked to expand access to health care, improve suicide prevention measures, and better the lives of our veterans.
These are issues James knows first-hand as a veteran.
He has received care at the New Orleans VA Medical Center. He’s a husband who used a VA home loan to buy his house. And he’s a father who transferred his GI Bill benefits to his son.
We all know that our VA can do more for our veterans. That starts with having strong leadership.
I am confident that James will bring legal excellence, integrity, and a mission-first mindset to the role of General Counsel.
And most of all, I know he will put our veterans at the forefront of every decision he makes.
He has my full support.
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