After all that U.S. veterans have sacrificed for our nation, they deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that will work tirelessly to ensure they receive the care, benefits, and respect they have earned.

Unfortunately, for the last four years, former President Joe Biden’s VA fell short in many areas, racking up budget deficits with no plans to solve them, awarding millions of dollars in bonuses to undeserving executives, and refusing to use the tools Congress provided to properly hold employees accountable.

President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Doug Collins, Air Force Reserve colonel and former Georgia congressman, as VA secretary signaled a commitment to changing things for the better and prioritizing the millions of veterans who depend on the VA.

With Collins at the VA’s helm, our veterans will have a leader who understands their struggles and is dedicated to addressing their needs.

Collins’s background speaks volumes. He’s an Iraq War veteran with 20-plus years of Air Force service, a military chaplain, an attorney, and a public servant. Few leaders bring such a well-rounded perspective to the table. Having walked in the boots of servicemembers and lived the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, Collins’s personal and professional experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead the VA. His academic journey through the University of North Georgia, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and John Marshall Law School further underscores his discipline and commitment to service.

During his eight-year tenure in Congress, Collins established himself as a problem solver who worked with Democrats and Republicans to pass important legislation, such as the First Step Act, the Music Modernization Act, and the Defend Trade Secrets Act. His dedication to working across the aisle earned him the 2019 Allegheny College Prize for Civility in Public Life.

While in Congress, Collins was also a strong supporter of many important laws that shape veterans’ policy to this day, including the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, and the MISSION Act. These pivotal pieces of legislation expanded veterans’ access to healthcare, improved accountability within the VA, and empowered whistleblowers to expose misconduct — concrete steps toward ensuring our veterans receive the support and care they have earned.

Collins’s nomination has drawn praise from veterans’ groups, such as the Wounded Warrior Project, AMVETS, and the Independence Fund, which highlight how his combination of military and legislative experience qualifies him to lead the VA. Scores of senators and other lawmakers across the country have also voiced their praise for Collins’s nomination, noting he’s a leader with the passion and expertise to bring transformative change to the VA.

For too long, red tape and inefficiencies have hindered the VA’s mission. However, together with Trump, Collins will implement reforms that make the department more efficient, effective, and centered on veterans’ needs. He’ll work to make accessing VA care and benefits more convenient, establish a culture of accountability and customer service across the department, and do more to help veterans at heightened risk of suicide and homelessness.

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Veterans need a VA secretary who understands their struggles, has lived their reality, and will tirelessly advocate on their behalf. Collins is that leader. His military background, legislative accomplishments, and personal dedication to service make him a natural fit to lead the agency tasked with serving our nation’s heroes.

I support Collins because he will fight for U.S. veterans just as they fought for our nation. I urge my Senate colleagues to do the same.

Katie Britt is a senator representing the state of Alabama.