Overview

• Doug Collins was confirmed as Secretary of Veterans Affairs in a 77-23 Senate vote, reflecting bipartisan support for the Trump nominee.
• Collins, a veteran and former Air Force Reserve chaplain, emphasized plans to streamline VA operations, improve healthcare access, and combat veteran homelessness and suicide.
• The confirmation comes as the VA faces rising costs from expanded benefits under the 2022 PACT Act and ongoing challenges with modernizing its electronic health record system.
• Collins faced scrutiny during his confirmation hearing over his stance on a Biden-era VA policy allowing limited abortion services, pledging to follow the law in reviewing its legality.
• The VA, the second-largest federal department, serves 18 million veterans and operates with a $369 billion budget and over 370,000 employees.