Veterans affairs secretary nominee Doug Collins pledged to be a fierce defender of the department’s workforce and for veterans during his senate confirmation hearing. The former Georgia congressman testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Tuesday after President Donald Trump picked him to lead the agency.

WASHINGTON — Doug Collins testified before the U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs committee for his confirmation hearing to become the next Veterans Affairs Secretary. The hearing lasted for a few hours on Tuesday. Collins reaffirmed his commitment to put veterans first.

President-elect Donald Trump has picked former Georgia congressman Doug Collins to lead the Veterans Affairs Department in his new administration.