President Donald Trump has successfully advanced his nomination of Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after a decisive Senate vote. The Senate voted 83-13 in favor of moving Collins’ nomination forward, with the full Senate expected to confirm him easily thanks to strong bipartisan support.
Doug Collins, a former U.S. congressman from Gainesville, Georgia, currently serves as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. His nomination was largely uncontroversial, receiving praise from many lawmakers during the committee hearings. The only senator to oppose him was Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, illustrating the ongoing partisan divides in Washington.
If confirmed, Collins will take on the significant responsibilities of running a VA system that has faced numerous challenges. Veterans have often struggled with long wait times for appointments, limited access to community care, insufficient mental health services, and budget constraints. These issues have persisted through various administrations, regardless of party affiliation.
Collins’ confirmation as VA secretary is seen as a crucial step toward addressing these ongoing issues and delivering better care for the nation’s veterans.
