WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – today led the first hearing for the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in the 119th Congress to consider the nomination of Congressman Doug Collins to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“My work on this committee is almost always driven by what I hear from veterans particularly at home in Kansas but also across the country,” said Sen. Moran. “We will hear from a lot of veterans organizations as well, and this is about how do we make the VA work better – what is it doing well; what is it not doing well; how do we solve the problems veterans face in this country. As Chairman, I will work to solve problems and deliver results to help veterans access the health care and benefits they have earned and achieve success after their service, and I expect the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs to share a similar focus.”

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks

Remarks as Prepared:

“I want to welcome everyone to the first hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for the 119th Congress.

“I am grateful to have so many returning members joining us again this Congress to continue our important work.

“I am also grateful to have five new members– Senator Banks from Indiana, Senator Sheehy from Montana, Senator Duckworth from Illinois, Senator Gallego from Arizona, and Senator Slotkin from Michigan.

“I look forward to working with Ranking Member Blumenthal and each one of our colleagues, on and off this committee, to better serve and support veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors.

“My work on this committee will be driven by what I hear from veterans in Kansas and across the country about how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is - or isn’t - working for them.

“As Chairman, I will work to solve problems and deliver results to help veterans access the health care and benefits they have earned and achieve success after their service.

“I expect the next VA Secretary to share that focus.

“The role of VA Secretary is critical.

“America’s national security is dependent on an all-volunteer military, and a VA that is successful in helping servicemembers thrive as veterans is key to bolstering recruitment and keeping the nation safe. 

“Millions of veterans and their loved ones rely on VA to access higher education and job training, buy a house, open a small business, cope with service-connected conditions, access health care and more.

“Helping veterans achieve those goals is often complicated by the fact that VA is also one of the largest bureaucracies within the federal government, with more than 400,000 employees.

“That includes a massive physical footprint that spans the globe, facilities that are aging, a legacy IT system, and an annual budget that is well over $300 billion.

“We must have VA Secretary who understands VA’s mission, who will help refocus the department to put veterans first, and who recognize the importance of VA in serving veterans and contributing to a safe and successful future for our nation.

“I am grateful to have Congressman Doug Collins here today to testify about his nomination to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“He knows firsthand the benefits and challenges of military service and the many issues facing veterans and their families.

“He is also a dedicated public servant and policy expert.

“I am grateful for Congressman Collins’ interest in serving in this capacity, and I look forward to hearing today how he plans to improve the lives of his fellow veterans, if he is confirmed.

“I also know that military service is family service so I want to recognize and thank Congressman Collins’ family - including his wife Lisa, daughter Jordan, and son Cameron who are with him here today.

“Before yielding to Ranking Member Blumenthal, I also want to recognize the former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough.

“I am grateful to Secretary McDonough for his hard work and dedication to veterans and their families. I wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

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