Robert Wilkie is new VA secretary
September 09, 2018
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has its fourth leader in five years after President Donald Trump swore in Robert Wilkie July 30.
The Senate confirmed Wilkie, who most recently served as the VA’s acting secretary, with a vote of 86 to 9. Veterans groups like The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars also supported Wilkie’s nomination.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Trump reiterated his confidence in Wilkie.
“Since day one, my administration has been focused on serving the men and women who make freedom possible: our great veterans,” Trump said.“These American heroes deserve only the best, and they will have it under Robert Wilkie. I have no doubt about it.”
As the official secretary, Wilkie is charged with supervising the construction of regulations around when veterans can seek VA-funded health care in the private sector, a law Trump enacted in June. At his confirmation hearing, Wilkie said he opposes privatization of VA care and vowed to fix the bureaucracy of the sprawling federal agency.
The VA serves about 9 million veterans at more than 1,200 health facilities. Over the years, its challenges have included long wait times for veterans needing services, staffing shortages and questions about the quality of care.
Just before taking the oath, Wilkie said he was “humbled by [Trump’s] confidence” and looks “forward to this great adventure.”