WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), applauded the overwhelmingly bipartisan confirmation of Robert Wilkie, a native of Fayetteville, NC and Senior Advisor to Senator Tillis from 2015 until late 2017, as VA Secretary.

“I’m proud that Robert Wilkie – my friend and former staffer – was confirmed on a broad and bipartisan basis. Robert is a leader blessed with a public servant’s heart who has the right experience, skill-set, and genuine love for our servicemembers and veterans to be a great VA Secretary,” said Senator Tillis. “Robert has already demonstrated what he is capable of during his short tenure as Acting VA Secretary, quickly working to improve morale at the VA, earning strong reviews and trust from VSOs, members of Congress, and VA staff, and moving decisively to execute the electronic health record project, which is a critical part of the VA transformation initiative. I look forward to working closely with Robert to overhaul the VA and making it a more efficient and effective organization that delivers timely and high-quality care for all veterans. Among a number of priorities, Robert will be instrumental in leading the implementation of the MISSION Act to improve both the VA health care system and the Choice program, as well as the implementation of the Electronic Health Record Modernization.”

Background on Robert Wilkie:

Robert Wilkie, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, is the current Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, confirmed unanimously by the Senate in November 2017. Wilkie served as Senator Tillis’ senior advisor since Tillis took office in 2015 until late 2017, advising him on national security, military, and veterans affairs issues. Wilkie previously served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs under Robert Gates and Donald Rumsfeld. He also served as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush for National Security Affairs and as Senior Director of the National Security Council under Dr. Condoleezza Rice.