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Floor Speech

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Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I am here this morning--now, this afternoon--because, in just a few moments, we will be asked to make a decision as to whether or not Congressman Doug Collins should be confirmed as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I am speaking today to encourage my colleagues to make that happen.

I believe caring for the men and women who have served our Nation in uniform, for the loved ones they leave behind, and for their families is one of our Nation's most sacred obligations. We owe those who served all that they are entitled to and perhaps more.

I remember making a commitment when I was in high school to express my gratitude and respect for those in uniform. I never envisioned being a U.S. Senator and, now, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where our responsibilities are greater than just respect and gratitude. That is certainly important, but now we are here to make certain that all the promises we made to those who serve are kept.

I want a VA Secretary who understands the VA's mission. I want a Secretary who will put veterans first. I want a Secretary who recognizes the VA's importance in serving veterans and contributing to a safe and successful future for our Nation. The success they had in uniform, I want them to have that success as a veteran, as a civilian, as a citizen.

Congressman Collins is that person. Through his own service, which continues in the Air Force Reserve, Congressman Collins knows firsthand service in the uniform, and he knows the benefits and challenges that veterans face and the challenges their families face.

In his testimony before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, he demonstrated significant understanding of the policies he will be expected to administer at the Department of Veterans Affairs and proved to me and to others that he is prepared to lead the VA into the future.

He is committed to working closely with Members of Congress and certainly the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs and to make sure that our input is understood, taken into account, and, hopefully, implemented. His nomination was reported out of the committee in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner. On a rollcall vote, the vote was 18 to 1.

I am thankful for Congressman Collins' interest in serving in this capacity. I ask my colleagues to support his nomination, and I look forward to working with him to improve the lives of veterans, caregivers, survivors, and military families.

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