Secretary of VA Nominee Doug Collins Testifies Before Senate Committee

Cramer Introduces the Nominee

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC) held a hearing today to discuss the nomination of Doug Collins to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If confirmed, Collins will oversee the VA in its mission to provide the healthcare and benefits earned by millions of veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) served in the House of Representatives with Collins for six years. Cramer introduced him at his confirmation hearing and described him as his "former colleague, friend, Navy veteran, military chaplain, and accomplished attorney."

"We have now in the Commander-in Chief and a Cabinet that he's picking people who will put the veteran first, not the bureaucracy," said Cramer. "The service providers are important, but the most important person is the veteran, and that's who Doug Collins will look out for. I'm really, really, really grateful that he's my friend, that he's willing to step into this gap, and I'm ready to support him in every way possible."

In response to a previous question from a Democrat Senator, Cramer asked if Collins would consider rescinding an illegal rule by the Biden administration.

"If the law was specifically stated that the VA was not to be doing abortions, there are other areas there that we look at," said Collins. "So we look at each situation that came up in 2022 in which they were told to look at a rule that would get around that. To me, it was time for us to take a look at that rule and make sure, just as in every other area of VA life, that we're actually doing what the law and the intent of this body is. […] what we pass actually means something, and the minute it becomes something, it doesn't mean something in the administration or outside, is the minute the rule of law falls down. So for me, yes, I will be looking into this."

In a rural state like North Dakota with limited VA providers and facilities, the Community Care program has been a lifeline for many veterans looking to receive timely care at a location close to their home. However, the VA continues to put up road blocks for veterans trying to utilize this option. Cramer asked Collins if he's open to working together on ways curtail the bureaucracy and improve the program to ensure veterans are able to access care in their own communities.

"It's my intention to work with my colleagues to further clarify in the Mission Act what you know, what access to community care is," stated Cramer. "In other words, we hear horror stories from veterans who live 30 miles from the VA hospital, and far more, maybe 100 miles from the nearest even [community-based outpatient clinic], who maybe live across the street from a critical access hospital. […] It's tragic for me to think that there's a veteran waiting for paperwork whose being slow walked by a bureaucrat more interested in the VA than the veteran. And all the while, there's a hospital that's barely hanging on across the street, and I'm not even exaggerating a little bit when I say that. […] Would you work with me and colleagues, to find ways to not just streamline the process but to guarantee it?"

Collins noted he accepted this nomination because he cares for people, and he cares for veterans. He said, "It's where I come from. It's what I believe. It's what I saw from up here."

"They [the VA] need the leadership and encouragement to say, 'let's find yeses instead of nos. Let's find answers instead of technicalities. Let's find the hope in people instead of trying to find the reason to hold or delay," said Collins.

"For me, this is about the veterans. This is about getting them the access to care that you and I and many on this committee voted for," continued Collins. "That's why we do what we do, is because they deserve it. […] We've got to get back to the part where it's about the veteran itself."

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