Business meeting to consider the nomination of Douglas Collins, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Title

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee votes to advance Douglas Collins for VA Secretary

Purpose

The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a business meeting to vote on reporting favorably the nomination of Douglas A. Collins of Georgia to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Chairman Jerry Moran and Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal each gave opening remarks before a roll call vote was held on the nomination. Begins at▶ 0:17:13

Who spoke

• Chair Jerry Moran (R-KS)▶ 0:17:13: Opened the meeting noting the roll call vote requires all members present with no proxies▶ 0:17:13, announced he would vote for Collins citing his experience as a veteran, chaplain, lawyer, and lawmaker▶ 0:17:43, and said he found Collins forthright even on difficult questions▶ 0:18:14. Later addressed concerns about a federal hiring freeze, saying the administration indicated nothing will prevent veterans from receiving benefits▶ 0:22:02, and noted the prior administration had pursued a "net zero growth" workforce strategy in 2024 aiming to cut 10,000 VA employees▶ 0:22:56. Invited and managed the motion and roll call vote▶ 0:23:23▶ 0:24:13.

• Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member▶ 0:18:31: Said he would support Collins, citing commitments on toxic-exposed veterans and upgrading VA facilities▶ 0:18:31, and hopes for continued advocacy on veterans' homelessness and suicide prevention▶ 0:19:05. Raised serious concerns about a hiring freeze affecting VA doctors, nurses, and mental health staff▶ 0:19:56▶ 0:20:29, warned it could hinder access to PACT Act benefits▶ 0:20:51, and voiced concern the administration might overturn VA regulations allowing abortion counseling in cases of rape or life risk▶ 0:21:17. Formally moved the nomination▶ 0:23:53.

• A committee member (name not given in transcript)▶ 0:24:05: Asked whether it would be appropriate to make comments after the vote.

• A committee member (name not given in transcript)▶ 0:26:00: Stated they voted no on the nomination, citing disagreement with Collins's plans for the VA, including overturning the VA's interim final rule on abortion and concerns about privatizing VA care, saying this did not align with constituents in Hawaii▶ 0:26:00; said they would still work with Collins if confirmed▶ 0:26:27.

Key moments

• Chairman Moran said he would vote for Collins, praising his experience as a veteran, military chaplain, lawyer, and lawmaker▶ 0:17:13▶ 0:17:43.

• Blumenthal announced support for Collins while flagging bipartisan priorities including toxic exposure and VA facility upgrades▶ 0:18:31.

• Blumenthal raised alarm over a hiring freeze he said is already leaving VA health-care positions, especially in mental health, unfilled▶ 0:19:56▶ 0:20:29.

• Blumenthal said the administration's assurances that VA benefits would be exempt from the freeze are now in question, and connected this to access to PACT Act benefits▶ 0:20:51.

• Blumenthal said Collins gave a "less than completely explicit" answer on whether VA abortion-counseling regulations would be overturned, but promised to notify the committee of any rulemaking changes▶ 0:21:17▶ 0:21:37.

• Moran countered that the prior administration had pursued a "net zero growth" strategy in 2024 with a goal of cutting the VA workforce by 10,000 employees▶ 0:22:56.

• Blumenthal formally moved to report the nomination favorably▶ 0:23:53, and a roll call vote was conducted▶ 0:24:13.

• One committee member voted no, citing opposition to Collins's positions on the VA's abortion rule and on privatizing VA care, saying they did not reflect what is right for veterans in Hawaii▶ 0:26:00.

• The meeting was adjourned after no further members sought recognition▶ 0:26:44.