Vets group to Trump: Remove acting VA secretary, elevate deputy to job
One of the nations largest veterans organizations is urging President Trump to install the Veterans Affairs Departments deputy as acting secretary rather than the Pentagon official he chose.
In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, American Veterans (AMVETS) expressed concern that Robert Wilkie has no experience at the VA and that federal law calls for the departments deputy to take over the vacancy left by the departure of former Secretary David Shulkin.
Send Robert Wilkie back to the Pentagon and elevate Deputy Secretary [Thomas] Bowman to acting secretary, AMVETS National Commander Marion Polk wrote. This is what common sense, veterans and the law all require, and it needs to happen now.
Trump chose Wilkie, the undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, to serve as acting VA secretary after Shulkin's ouster while his new nominee, White House physician Ronny Jackson, awaits confirmation.
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/381420-vets-group-to-trump-remove-acting-va-secretary-elevate-va-deputy-to-job