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New Secretary of Veterans Affairs Confirmed Amid Calls for Change
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has welcomed its newly confirmed secretary, former Representative Doug Collins from Georgia, after the Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of his appointment with a 77-23 tally. Following his confirmation, Collins faces immediate expectations from Democratic leaders to address various concerns within the agency.
Collins has expressed a strong commitment to enhancing the public healthcare system for veterans and supporting the department’s effective employees. He emphasized his intention to explore avenues for expanding private sector healthcare options available to veterans while also looking to streamline the process for terminating underperforming employees.
Amid these developments, the VA has begun implementing several contentious workforce policies initiated by the Trump administration. These measures include the cessation of telework arrangements for non-union staff, administrative leave for employees focused on diversity initiatives, and hiring freezes which have affected a small percentage of the workforce. Senator Richard Blumenthal, the leading Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, voted for Collins but immediately outlined a series of demands for the new secretary.
In a letter addressed to Collins, Blumenthal expressed concern about what he termed a “rising tide of dangerous and unlawful actions” from the White House. He warned that these actions could hinder veterans’ access to essential healthcare, delay benefits for those exposed to toxic substances, and disrupt critical services vital for veterans and their families.
The senator urged Collins to act swiftly to reverse the administration’s measures, including the partial hiring freeze that currently affects essential healthcare roles within the VA. While the freeze spares around 300,000 healthcare positions, over a quarter of other support and administrative roles remain on hold.
During his confirmation hearing, Collins defended the hiring freeze as a “prudent step,” promising to reassess workforce needs to ensure that vacant positions reflect actual demands within the department.
Blumenthal’s letter also called for immediate clarification that the VA would not be subjected to any funding freezes, the reinstatement of former Inspector General Mike Missal, and the exclusion of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency employees from accessing VA records. He further requested that the VA cancel offers of “delayed resignation” to its staff and prevent the placement of department employees into a new personnel category that could lead to politically motivated dismissals.
In a communication to staff, a regional VA office indicated that guidance regarding the deferred resignation program would soon be provided to ensure continued healthcare services. Employees who have accepted the deferred resignation offer will be expected to remain in their roles until further notice.
“It is essential that any operational changes tied to presidential directives are managed within established VA operational guidelines,” emphasized Laura Ruzick, the regional director. “Unless directed otherwise, our current operational stance will remain unchanged.”
Blumenthal cautioned that failing to promptly address these issues could result in significant disadvantages for veterans, including diminished access to crucial grant programs, inadequate oversight, and a fragmented, weakened workforce within the VA.
Collins has previously stated his dedication to advocating for competent VA employees while being resolute in his approach to personnel who do not meet performance standards. He has vowed to be a staunch supporter of those effectively serving veterans.
Representative Mike Bost, a Republican from Illinois and chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, expressed confidence in Collins’s ability to cut through institutional barriers that complicate care for veterans. Bost underscored the need for accountability in the VA’s workforce and the urgency of delivering benefits that align with the intentions of the VA community care program.
Collins, a former Navy chaplain who also served in the Air Force Reserve, did not sit on the House Veterans Affairs Committee during his tenure in Congress. However, he has reassured that the VA will continue to be the primary healthcare network for veterans while also seeking to expand private sector options—an approach that has taken on increased prominence since the 2018 Mission Act was enacted during Trump’s presidency.
“I believe it is possible to have a robust VA alongside a viable community care system,” Collins stated, highlighting the balance between maintaining strong internal capabilities and providing external healthcare choices for veterans.
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