Trump picks former congressman Doug Collins as next VA secretary

President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday introduced former Georgia congressman Doug Collins as his choose to be the following Veterans Affairs Secretary, filling one other key Cupboard put up with a army veteran.

The announcement of Collins, 58, got here as a shock to many throughout the veterans neighborhood, since he had not been talked about in latest experiences for candidates into account for the put up.

Collins, who served within the Home of Representatives from 2013 to 2021, was vice chairman of the Home Republican Convention and a member of the highly effective Home Guidelines Committee.

He additionally served within the active-duty Navy for 2 years as a chaplain and re-enlisted within the Air Pressure Reserve following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist assaults. He deployed to Iraq in 2008 as a member of the 94th Airlift Wing, and nonetheless serves within the reserve.

“We should care for our courageous women and men in uniform, and Doug will likely be an amazing advocate for our active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and army households to make sure they’ve the help they want,” Trump mentioned in an announcement.

Collins has served as a authorized counsel for Trump since leaving Congress three years in the past. He additionally appeared on the marketing campaign path with Trump all through the summer time, backing the previous president’s re-election bid.

Collins will must be confirmed by the Senate earlier than taking excessive Veterans Affairs management put up. A nomination listening to is predicted to be held in January, after the brand new Congress is seated.

In an announcement on social media, Collins thanked Trump for the chance to serve at VA and vowed to “combat tirelessly to streamline and lower laws within the VA, root out corruption, and guarantee each veteran receives the advantages they’ve earned.”

“Collectively, we’ll make the VA work for many who fought for us,” he wrote. “Time to ship for our veterans and provides them the world class care they deserve.”