Senate Confirms Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Secretary

The Senate confirmed former congressman Doug Collins as the next secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in a 77-23 vote on Feb. 4. President Donald Trump’s VA nominee has served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Reserve and would bring his experience as a military chaplain to the leadership role. Collins also has experience working with lawmakers, having represented Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District from 2013 to 2021. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), speaking ahead of the vote, highlights Collins’s past and continuing military service. “I want a secretary who will put veterans first. I want a secretary who recognizes the VA’s importance in serving veterans and contributing to a safe and successful future for our nation, the success they had in uniform. I want them to have that success as a veteran, as a civilian, as a citizen,” Moran said. “Congressman Collins is that person.”...