WASHINGTON — (TNS) The U.S. Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee voted overwhelmingly to make Doug Collins the next secretary of Veterans Affairs. The vote moves the former Georgia congressman toward a confirmation vote on the Senate floor, which could occur in a matter of days.

Both the Republican chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee and its top-ranking Democrat spoke in favor of Collins ahead of Thursday’s vote. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he was impressed by Collins’ answers during a hearing when Collins pledged to work in a bipartisan fashion to improve Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and expand mental health programs.

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