Robert Wilkie
Robert Wilkie served as the 10th secretary of veterans affairs. He was a member of President Donald Trump's (R) administration.
President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Wilkie for the position on May 18, 2018. He was formally nominated on June 20, 2018. The Senate confirmed his appointment on July 23, 2018, by a vote of 86-9. Wilkie was sworn in on July 30, 2018.[1][2] Wilkie served until his resignation on January 20, 2021.[3]
The secretary of veterans affairs oversees the following agencies: the National Cemetery Administration, the Veterans Benefits Administration, and the Veterans Health Administration.
Biography
Wilkie earned a bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University, a Juris Doctor from Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, a Master of Laws in international and comparative law from Georgetown University, and a Masters in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. Wilkie is a reserve officer in the United States Air Force Reserve. Before joining the Air Force, he served in the United States Navy Reserve with the Joint Forces Intelligence Command, Naval Special Warfare Group Two, and the Office of Naval Intelligence.[4]
Wilkie also worked as senior advisor to Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and as vice president for strategic initiatives for CH2M HILL.[5]
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Wilkie's professional career:[4]
- July 23, 2018–January 20, 2021: Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- November 30, 2017–July 23, 2018: Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
- 2005–2009: Assistant Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Confirmation vote
On July 23, 2018, the United States Senate voted 86-9 to confirm Wilkie as secretary of veterans affairs.[6]
| Robert Wilkie confirmation vote, July 23, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes for  |
Votes against  |
Total votes |
 Democrats |
38 | 8 | 46 |
 Republicans |
47 | 0 | 47 |
 Independents |
1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Votes | 86 | 9 | 95 |
| Nomination tracker | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate: Robert Wilkie | ||
| Position: Secretary of Veterans Affairs | ||
| Confirmation progress | ||
| Announced: | May 18, 2018 |
| Hearing: | June 27, 2018 |
| Committee: | Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs |
| Reported: | July 10, 2018, (13-1) |
| Confirmed: | July 23, 2018 |
| Vote: | 86-9 |
Wilkie previously served as assistant secretary of defense in the George W. Bush (R) administration. Within the Trump administration, he previously served as undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.[7]
Comments from members of Congress on Wilkie's nomination
- Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, said, "I am confident that Robert Wilkie is the right leader because he has the expertise, the judgement and the character to take on the challenges that lie ahead and will bring stability and leadership to the VA."[8]
- Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who sits on the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, said, "By confirming Mr. Wilkie, we do right by the millions of veterans who look to the VA for health care and benefits they earned in service to our nation. But our job doesn't stop today. The Senate must always hold Mr. Wilkie accountable to the millions of American veterans he serves."[9]
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who voted against Wilkie's confirmation, said on July 10, 2018, "Trump has been very clear about his desire to move to the privatization of the VA, and I suspect any of his appointees will try and move the agency in that direction."[10]
Wilkie was sworn in and formally assumed office as secretary of veterans affairs on July 30, 2018.[11]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Officially Nominates a Veterans Affairs Secretary," June 20, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Trump taps Wilkie as next Veterans Affairs secretary," May 18, 2018
- ↑ Stars and Stripes, "Dat Tran to temporarily lead VA as acting secretary," January 20, 2021
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 VA.gov, "Secretary of Veterans Affairs," accessed May 18, 2018
- ↑ WhiteHouse.gov, "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to a Key Administration Post," May 18, 2018
- ↑ United States Senate, "Vote Summary; Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation Robert L. Wilkie, of North Carolina, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs)," July 23, 2018
- ↑ Associated Press, "Senate confirms Robert Wilkie for Veterans Affairs secretary," July 23, 2018
- ↑ U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, "Isakson Applauds Senate Confirmation of Robert Wilkie as VA Secretary," July 23, 2018
- ↑ Twitter, "Senate Jon Tester: July 23, 2018: 4:44 PM," July 23, 2018
- ↑ The New York Times, "Senate Confirms Robert Wilkie as Veterans Affairs Secretary," July 23, 2018
- ↑ Military Times, "Senate confirms Robert Wilkie as next VA secretary, but with opposition," July 23, 2018
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by David Shulkin |
Secretary of Veterans Affairs 2018-2021 |
Succeeded by Dat Tran |
| |||||||||||||||||||
