Senate committee advances Doug Collins for VA secretary

Doug Collins, a former Georgia Representative and Navy veteran, is moving closer to becoming the Secretary of Veterans Affairs following an 18-1 vote by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. The sole dissenting vote came from Sen. Mazie Hirono, who expressed concerns over Collins' stance on abortion services at VA facilities, fearing he might reverse a Biden administration rule allowing such services under specific circumstances. Collins, nominated by former President Trump, has pledged to review the rule to ensure compliance with federal law and has been praised by some senators for his focus on improving veteran services. The nomination now awaits a full Senate vote, where it is expected to pass. Collins has previously served as legal counsel for Trump and has a background as an Air Force Reserve chaplain. Concerns about potential VA service privatization and the impact of past federal hiring freezes on veteran care were also highlighted during the nomination process.