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From The Hill: The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Thursday easily advanced former Georgia GOP Rep. Doug Collins’s nomination to be the secretary of Veterans Affairs, setting him up for a full Senate vote likely to be uncontentious.
The panel voted 18-1, with the lone “no” vote coming from Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), who said Collins’s plans for the VA were “not in line” with what she believed was right for veterans across the country.
Among her concerns was the potential for Collins to overturn a Biden administration rule that allows the VA to provide abortions to veterans for a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or when the life of a pregnant woman is at risk — even in states where it has been largely outlawed.
Collins, a Navy veteran, Air Force Reserve chaplain and former pastor, during his confirmation hearing did not commit to upholding the two-year-old rule after being questioned by Hirono.
“It is something that has been looked at here as what the law actually says, and the original law from 1992 says the VA does not do abortions. Two years ago, that was a decision that was looked at and decided. I will tell you this: We will be looking at that issue when I get in there to confirm that the VA is actually following the law,” Collins told Hirono.
Every single senator on the panel – Republican and Democrat – all voted to advance Collins’ nomination… except Hirono, who voted “no.”
Even the Democrat ranking member, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), said he was impressed with Collins’ answers during the confirmation hearing.
The full Senate is expected to vote on Collins’ nomination next week, and he is expected to be easily confirmed.
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted 18-1 to advance @RepDougCollins’ nomination to be the next VA Secretary. https://t.co/2bB8G2AjtD
— Senate VA Republicans (@SVACGOP) January 23, 2025
Hirono started her grilling of Collins with the same wild question she has asked of each nominee: “Since you became a legal adult have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature? Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this kind of conduct?”
Below is a video of the full exchange between Hirono and Collins.
On 18-1 vote, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee advances nomination of Doug Collins to be 12th Secretary of @DeptVetAffairs . Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) casts the lone “no” vote, saying Collins’ priorities do not align with what she believes is right for vets. @13NewsNow pic.twitter.com/3nJzMYEgyT
— Mike Gooding 13News Now (@13MikeGooding) January 23, 2025
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