President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday he would nominate Doug Collins, a former member of the Georgia House of Representatives, to lead his administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs.

Collins, a Iraq War Veteran who left Congress in 2021, was a fierce defender of Trump during his 2019 impeachment inquiry.

“Doug is a veteran himself, currently serving our nation as a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command and who fought for our country in the Iraq War “Trump said in a statement. statement THURSDAY. “We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our active duty military, veterans and military families to ensure they receive the support they need.”

Collins said he was honored to accept the nomination and is committed to providing the best care for veterans.

“Our heroes deserve the best care and support,” he said. written the. “We will fight tirelessly to streamline and reduce regulations within the VA, root out corruption, and ensure that every veteran receives the benefits they have earned.”

The Cabinet position requires Senate confirmation.

Collins, 58, was first elected to the House in 2012. He served until 2021, after an unsuccessful run for the Senate the previous year.

Collins was a strong supporter of Trump during his first indictment investigation, in 2019, when he was the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee. The Democratic-led House impeached Trump, but the Republican majority in the Senate acquitted him.

Trump has expressed support for Collins in the past, having made it float as a potential challenger to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in 2022. Collins ultimately decided not to run for governor or seek a Senate seat in the midterms.