WASHINGTON — Former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump to be the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Collins served in the active-duty Navy for two years as a chaplain and re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserve following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and deployed to Iraq.
At the VA, Collins would supervise the nation's second-largest federal employer with nearly 450,000 workers and 1,380 healthcare facilities, including the Hampton VA Medical Center which dates back to 1870.
Collins would also inherit several chronic problems that have challenged the VA, including veterans' homelessness and veterans' suicide.
On the social media platform X, Collins wrote: "We'll fight tirelessly to streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they've earned."
Collins will need to be confirmed by the Senate. A nomination hearing is expected to be held in January, after the new Congress is seated.
In a statement to 13News Now, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) said: "I generally wait until after a nominee's committee hearing to make a decision about whether I will vote to confirm or not. I want to learn more about how former Rep. Doug Collins plans to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. It's critical that whoever takes over this role has a deep commitment to supporting our nation's veterans and is able to lead the department to ensure veterans receive the benefits they've earned."
In a statement, the Office of Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia) said: "Sen. Warner looks forward to evaluating Rep. Collins’ nomination when it comes up before the Senate."
Collins would succeed Denis McDonough, who served as VA Secretary under President Biden since February 2021.