Government affairs
Legislative Updates
Today, the Senate confirmed Robert L. Wilkie as Secretary for Veterans Affairs in an 86-9 vote. Wilkie served as acting secretary from March 28, 2018 through May 29, and was preiovusly the Under Secretary of Defenese for Personnel and Readiness.
Wilkie is preceded by former secretary Dr. David Shulkin who, according to Shulkin, was fired in response to his opposition toward VA privatization. In Wilkie’s Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, however, several Democratic senators pressed Wilkie on his position regarding privatization, to which he vowed to oppose efforts to privatize VA health care.
Wilkie takes charge of the second largest government agency, overseeing an $81.5 billion budget that provides over 9 million veterans with medical care.
“NALC congratulates Secretary Wilkie on his confirmation to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “NALC is proud that nearly a quarter of all letter carriers are also veterans, and as such, we take veterans affairs very seriously. We look forward to working with Secretary Wilkie on all issues that impact our nation’s veterans.”