Georgia U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson on Friday was upbeat but noncommittal about Robert Wilkie, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ interim leader whom President Donald Trump said he would nominate as permanent head of the sprawling agency.
The third-term Republican’s opinion holds outsized weight with the White House. As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Isakson will have first say over Wilkie’s nomination as it moves through the confirmation process.
“As acting secretary of the VA, I’ve enjoyed my time getting to know Robert Wilkie and working alongside him to advance community care legislation through Congress,” Isakson said in a statement.
But Isakson also didn’t immediately commit to backing Wilkie, saying he looks forward to “learning more about his long-term views for the VA,” including his plans for implementing a bill the Senate is expected to pass next week that would overhaul the department’s programs for veterans seeking private health care options.
Isakson adopted a similarly opaque stance after Trump nominated White House physician Ronny Jackson to the position earlier this spring. Jackson withdrew his name from Senate consideration last month after scandalous accusations surfaced in the media alleging he improperly dispensed prescription drugs and created a hostile work environment.
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