WASHINGTON — The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is poised to advance Robert Wilkie as the next Veterans Affairs secretary this week, and the full Senate will likely follow shortly thereafter.

While his confirmation seems certain — key committee leaders have already offered their support for his nomination — it’s unclear whether he’ll see the same unanimous support that David Shulkin received with his Senate confirmation vote in 2016.

In fact, no VA secretary nominee sent to the Senate floor has ever received an opposition vote. All have either been unanimous or voice votes without any official votes against.

Wilkie, who was easily approved last fall as the Pentagon’s under secretary for personnel, is not seen as a controversial pick for the post. But President Donald Trump’s handling of Shulkin’s firing upset several lawmakers, and his past policy statements on sending more money for veterans medical care to private-sector doctors could be enough to create some resistance.

Tuesday, July 10

Senate Foreign Relations — 2:30 p.m. — Dirksen 419
Pending legislation
The committee will consider two pieces of legislation: a resolution supporting NATO and a measure codifying Israel security assistance.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs — Time TBD — Senate chambers
VA Secretary confirmation
The committee will hold a vote on the nomination of Robert Wilkie to be the next VA Secretary.

Wednesday, July 11

House Armed Services — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2118
Foreign assistance
Mark Mitchell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for special operations, and other administration officials will testify before the committee on the Defense Department’s role in foreign assistance programs.

House Foreign Affairs — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2172
Western Hemisphere
State Department officials will testify before the committee on advancing U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.

House Oversight — 10 a.m. — Rayburn 2154
Muslim Brotherhood
Outside experts will testify before the committee on the global threat posed by Muslim Brotherhood groups.

House Foreign Affairs — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2172
China
Outside experts will testify before the committee on China’s predatory trade strategy.

Thursday, July 12

House Veterans' Affairs — 10 a.m. — Cannon 334
Committee business
Members will discuss the formation of a new subcommittee to oversee VA work on electronic medical records, and also discuss pending legislation.

House Financial Services — 2 p.m. — Rayburn 2128
Weapons proliferation
The committee will hear from outside experts on financial networks used for worldwide weapons proliferation.

Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.

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