WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today voted to confirm Robert Wilkie to serve as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Wilkie has served as the acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs while continuing to serve as the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In his role at the Department of Defense, Wilkie is responsible for health care and benefits for 9.4 million troops, family members, and retirees.

“Robert Wilkie is well-prepared to lead the VA and implement reforms to provide better health care and service to our nation’s veterans,” Wicker said. “As a senior advisor to my predecessor, Senator Trent Lott, Robert knows Mississippi and the unique challenges and contributions of our state’s veterans.”

Wilkie was assistant secretary of legislative affairs in the Department of Defense from 2005-2009, was a special assistant to President Bush for national security affairs, and served on the National Security Council. He is a recipient of the Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest civilian award of the defense department. He also was a senior advisor for U.S. Senator Trent Lott, R-Miss.