On the recordJuly 23, 2018
I thank the chair for the kind words about the nominee, Robert Wilkie, for the Veterans Health Administration. I am here to proudly discuss his record. Actually, until about 6 months ago, he was the military affairs adviser in my office and was my adviser on the VA. He has done an extraordinary job. He is the child of a gravely wounded veteran from the Vietnam war. He grew up on Fort Bragg. He is from Fayetteville, NC. He has done an extraordinary job in serving our office, in mentoring my staff, and in working for Senate leaders and leaders in the White House--Secretary Gates, Secretary Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, and now General Mattis. Robert Wilkie is going to do an extraordinary job because he understands what it is like to be the son of a veteran and to be a member of the armed services himself. He serves in the Air Force to this day. He previously served in the Navy. He has attended the U.S. Army War College. He has a law degree and a keen understanding of how this governing body works. He also has great relationships with people across the political spectrum. He has worked very closely in committee work with the committee staff. He just has an extraordinary reputation. He has an extraordinary sense of history. He has a great dedication to our veterans, and he understands the intrinsic link between Active Duty and reservists and, ultimately, with veterans.…
