Former Georgia GOP Congressman Doug Collins was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday to head the Department of Veterans Affairs by a bipartisan vote of 77-23. He earned respect from both sides of the aisle:

A former U.S. congressman, the Gainesville, Georgia, native also serves as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Collins was not expected to face a difficult confirmation fight and received bipartisan support in his committee hearing, the lone exception being Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, who voted against him [in the cloture vote Thursday].

Congratulations to Doug Collins on being confirmed as Secretary of Veterans Affairs! 🇺🇸 A veteran, leader, and fighter for our heroes, Doug will ensure veterans receive the world-class care they deserve. #VeteransFirst #VAConfirmed @RepDougCollins pic.twitter.com/rj6JLX1NKv

— America First Policy Institute (@A1Policy) February 4, 2025

See: Trump’s New VA Pick Is Going to Make America’s Heroes Healthy Again

Collins will face many challenges in his new role:

If confirmed as VA secretary, Collins would oversee a beleaguered system of healthcare and benefits for the nation's veterans. 

Long wait times to see providers, lack of access to community care, inadequate mental health support and budget shortfalls are just a few of many problems that have plagued past secretaries in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Honored to accept @realDonaldTrump nomination as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Our heroes deserve the best care and support.

We'll fight tirelessly to streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they've earned.… pic.twitter.com/StWK0XcYAm

— Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) November 14, 2024

Together, we'll make the VA work for those who fought for us. Time to deliver for our veterans and give them the world class care they deserve.

He has a fan in Dr. Damon Friedman, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel in special operations, who wrote in a November RedState guest editorial:

President-Elect Donald Trump’s new pick for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins, is going to make America’s heroes healthy again.

Just ask any veteran, they’ll tell you a horror story about the VA’s bloated bureaucracy and ingrained incompetence. Veterans wait months for appointments, going without needed treatment and medications, and endure the disgrace of national neglect for those who fought, bled and sacrificed for the freedoms of our nation…

Collins said he was honored to accept Trump’s nomination and that “our heroes deserve the best care and support.”

As a former military chaplain, Collins understands the critical component of spirituality. To save lives, you must treat the whole person, which includes the soul… 

On X, Collins said, “Together, we'll make the VA work for those who fought for us. Time to deliver for our veterans and give them the world class care they deserve.”

Doug Collins puts our veterans first and fights for their access to timely and quality local healthcare. His commitment to the law and servant leadership is exactly what the @DeptVetAffairs needs to stay on mission. I look forward to working with Doug in his new position. pic.twitter.com/cvOimvgN6X

— Senator Kevin Cramer (@SenKevinCramer) February 4, 2025

Collins becomes the latest of Trump’s Cabinet picks to be confirmed, joining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and others. Still in the on-deck circle: Health and Human Services Secretary nominee RFK Jr. (who advanced out of the Finance Committee Tuesday by a 14-13 vote), FBI Director nominee Kash Patel, Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, and Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard.  

Notch another win for Donald Trump.