WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today released the following statement announcing their support for Robert Wilkie’s nomination to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“Mr. Wilkie is a respected, talented nominee for VA secretary, and I am proud to support his nomination,” said Isakson. “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. Mr. Wilkie has the expertise and the positive attitude to take on challenges that lie ahead, and I look forward to working with him to help transform the VA into a department worthy of our veterans and one that is indicative of a nation grateful for their service.”

“Mr. Wilkie committed to putting veterans first and I’m pleased to support him,” said Tester. “The VA is navigating rough waters, and I will hold Mr. Wilkie accountable for serving our veterans. As long as he maintains good communication with Chairman Isakson and me, we’ll make sure that VA has the tools to right the ship for Montana’s and America’s veterans.”

The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing to consider the nomination of Wilkie to be secretary of the VA on Wednesday, June 27.

During the hearing, Wilkie, who served as acting secretary of the VA from March 28 until Trump formally announced his intent to nominate Wilkie to lead the VA permanently on May 18, pledged to build on the committee’s work and see to it that the VA succeeds in better serving veterans.

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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 VA Committee 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.