Boozman Questions VA Secretary Nominee Doug Collins

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, questioned President Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), former Congressman Doug Collins, and spoke about his current priorities to improve the care and benefits for veterans in Arkansas and across the country.

Boozman inquired about future support for the VA's State Veterans Home Program facility in Northwest Arkansas. Specifically, the senator asked Collins to commit to working together to address its needs and eligibility to qualify for grant funding.

"The VA's State Veterans Home Program is a great resource for many senior veterans, including those in Arkansas. The [NW Arkansas] location does excellent work caring for senior veterans, but needs upgrades to continue providing the standards of care expected," said Boozman. "Do I have your commitment that the VA, under your leadership, will be working with us, on the issue?"

"We are going to work with you and the appropriators, and also this committee, to make sure that the priorities as expressed will be taken care of - and we will work with you to do those as we go forth," responded Collins. "For me, making sure that the states across this country, and the VA, is providing that care is frankly non-negotiable."

Boozman also expressed his concerns to Collins about the VA's management and budgeting of the Toxic Exposure Fund in light of the implementation of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

"I am very proud of the committee's work to pass the PACT Act, which now provides long overdue care for veterans dealing with the effects of toxic exposure," said Boozman. "How will you make sure the VA's Toxic Exposure Fund remains viable for years to come while providing the levels of care our veterans have earned?"

"I think the biggest thing we have to do is, actuarially, look at this past year, and I promise, as I think you and I spoke about this in your office, is [asking] 'are we at the VA getting good information and doing what the intent of the law was?' so that they can continue to get those benefits," said Collins. "And you have a commitment from me that when you get information about how we're funding and how we are appropriating that, that whoever sits at this table, myself and any other person that comes from the VA will you give you good information and good numbers."

The senator concluded by asking Collins to reiterate his commitment to actively communicate with Members of Congress to address issues and provide timely, substantive responses.

"You served, you were a great member in the House, you understand how important it is that when we need information, when we need to talk to you or somebody of importance, it's so frustrating," Boozman stated. "I think one of the most important things that we can talk about today is how important it is again, to be such that you are in constant tune with the members."

"Thank you for highlighting what I believe is going to be one of the biggest differences and, if confirmed by this body, at the VA, in the early stages, and that is going to be the involvement of our legislative affairs [team] on this Hill. I am committed to having 535, if you would, canaries in a coal mine - 100 senators and 435 representatives who actually can help us and work together to see where there are problems," said Collins. "I want to know where the problems are because I am not a secretary, if confirmed, that will sit behind the desk. I will be out and I'll be there making sure we get it fixed."

To watch the senator's full line of questioning, click here.