WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today released the following statement applauding Senate confirmation of Robert Wilkie to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“The Department of Veterans Affairs needs a leader who will help move the VA away from problems of the past and toward solutions of the future by implementing the legislation we passed to address significant problems confronting the department. 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. I look forward to working with him to help transform the VA into a department worthy of our veterans.”

Wilkie was confirmed by a vote of 86-9.

Just before today’s vote by the full Senate, Isakson led the debate by urging his colleagues to support Wilkie’s nomination. Watch Isakson’s full remarks here.

The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing to consider Wilkie’s nomination on June 27, and he was approved by the committee on July 10.

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The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 115th Congress. Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the armed services as well as more than 750,000 veterans.