Doug Collins' nomination to lead VA advances in Senate committee

The first week of Donald Trump's second term has gotten off to an extremely fast start, and while some of his Cabinet picks have spurred controversy and delay, others have enjoyed a much smoother path toward confirmation.

As The Hill reports, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee advanced the nomination of former Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) to head the Department of Veterans Affairs this week, paving the way for a full confirmation vote, which is expected to see very little opposition emerge.

Collins advances

Trump's choice to lead the VA garnered impressive support at the committee level, sailing through the preliminary confirmation stage by a vote of 18-1.

The only holdout against advancing the nomination came from Hawaii Democrat Mazie Hirono, who declared Collins' agenda for the VA “not in line” with her own preferences for the agency.

Hirono specifically objected to the possibility that Collins would reverse a Biden-era rule permitting the VA to offer abortion services to veterans even in states that have imposed strict regulations on the procedure.

During his recent confirmation hearing, Collins was asked by the congresswoman about his plans with regard to the rule, and he did not assuage Hirono's concerns when he said, “It is something that has been looked at here as what the law actually says, and the original law from 1992 says the VA does not do abortions. Two years ago, that was a decision that was looked at and decided. I will tell you this: We will be looking at that issue when I get in there to confirm that the VA is actually following the law.”

Hirono's fellow Democrat, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) had a more positive take on Collins' potential, lauding his responses to questions about the Pact Act, which aims to broaden VA benefits for servicemembers who were exposed to burn pits, and his commitment to upgrading facilities and services to veterans at risk of homelessness and suicide.

Former servicemember tapped to lead

It was back in November, not long after his election victory, that Trump nominated Collins for the VA role, as Reuters reported at the time.

In announcing his choice of Collins, Trump said, “We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need.”

Collins' background as both a former lawmaker, Navy veteran, Air Force Reserve chaplain, attorney and former pastor were lauded by Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who declared him to be the right person for the job.

Cramer labeled Collins “first and foremost a servant” and someone poised to “restore accountability to the department” after years of failed leadership.

The senator further stated, “Doug is one of the most transparent, honest people I know, and these qualities will serve him, the Trump administration, and most importantly the veterans very well. He will put the veteran first, not bureaucracy.”

Confirmation processes continue apace

With impending hearings on the calendar for other high-profile Trump administration nominees such as Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, the president's team continues to take shape amid sometimes-heated debates.

However, for Collins, the road to approval from the full Senate appears to be largely unimpeded, wth a final vote likely to come next week.