The confirmation hearing for former Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.), President-elect Trump's nominee to be the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs, has been postponed for one week until January 21st.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said: said in a statement on Monday. Collins “submitted all documents in a timely manner, was transparent, and has been proactive with the committee,” but the FBI has not yet completed a background check on him.
“Consistent with longstanding practice, the committee should have the opportunity to review Rep. Collins' FBI file prior to his confirmation hearing,” Moran said in a statement. “We look forward to the FBI completing its review quickly so the committee can move forward in its role of evaluating presidential candidates.”
President Trump announced Collins, an Air Force Reserve chaplain, as his nominee in November, calling him “a great advocate for active duty military, veterans, and military families to ensure they get the support they need.” It will be,” he said.
“Doug himself is a veteran, currently serving our country as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and fought for our country in the Iraq War,” President Trump said at the time.
Collins is one of Trump's biggest defenders in the House. Collins, a lawyer by trade and a member of Congress from 2013 to 2021, has served as legal advisor to Trump, particularly regarding the MAGA movement's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Georgia. .
He has served in the Air Force Reserve since 2002 and was deployed to Iraq in 2008 as a member of the 94th Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia.
