Key Takeaways:

• The Senate has confirmed Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs with a 77-23 vote.
• Collins aims to reduce regulations and enhance care quality for veterans.
• As a veteran himself, Collins expresses a strong commitment to understanding and addressing veterans' challenges.
• The confirmation process saw bipartisan support, despite some concerns about reproductive health access for veterans.

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Doug Collins, a former congressman and Iraq War veteran, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs. This confirmation comes as another significant addition to President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, with a vote tally of 77-23, reflecting a blend of support from both parties. President Trump stated, “We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our active duty servicemembers, veterans, and military families” in a statement announcing Collins' nomination.

The Department of Veterans Affairs administers a more than $350 billion budget and oversees nearly 200 medical facilities across the U.S., including national cemeteries, while also collaborating with the Department of Defense on various personnel matters. Collins, pledged to streamline regulations and improve care quality, acknowledged in his confirmation hearing the evolving challenges veterans face today, particularly those emerging from recent conflicts.

“I'm an Iraq War veteran. I understand burn pits because I slept next to one for many months,” Collins remarked, emphasizing his personal experience as a supportive foundation for his approach to leadership within the department. Having served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021, Collins is no stranger to political struggles, previously losing a Senate bid in 2020 against Kelly Loeffler.

Senator Kevin Cramer praised Collins for his empathy, noting that such qualities are essential for providing veterans with the care they deserve. The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee approved Collins’ nomination with an overwhelming 18-1 vote. However, dissent arose from Senator Mazie Hirono who expressed concerns about possible restrictions on reproductive health care for veterans.

Throughout his confirmation process, Collins emphasized a commitment to necessary reforms, stating his intent to work closely with Congress to enhance and refine the Department's services rather than moving towards privatization. His focus will also include increasing preventative care access and reducing wait times for veterans.

For more detailed coverage, refer to the original articles at AP News, USA Today, and VOA News.