Trump picks former congressman Doug Collins as next VA secretary

President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced former Georgia congressman Doug Collins as his pick to be the next Veterans Affairs Secretary, filling another key Cabinet post with a military veteran.

The announcement of Collins, 58, came as a surprise to many within the veterans community, since he had not been mentioned in recent reports for candidates under consideration for the post.

Collins, who served in the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021, was vice chairman of the House Republican Conference and a member of the powerful House Rules Committee.

He also served in the active-duty Navy for two years as a chaplain and re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserve following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He deployed to Iraq in 2008 as a member of the 94th Airlift Wing, and still serves in the reserve.

“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 to ensure they have the support they need,” Trump said in a statement.

Collins has served as a legal counsel for Trump since leaving Congress three years ago. He also appeared on the campaign trail with Trump throughout the summer, backing the former president’s re-election bid.

Collins will need to be confirmed by the Senate before taking over the top Veterans Affairs leadership post. A nomination hearing is expected to be held in January, after the new Congress is seated.

In a statement on social media, Collins thanked Trump for the opportunity to serve at VA and vowed to “fight tirelessly to streamline and cut regulations in the VA, root out corruption, and ensure every veteran receives the benefits they’ve earned.”

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