WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, spoke on the Senate Floor prior to voting to confirm former Congressman Doug Collins, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“Today, the Senate will vote to confirm former Congressman Doug Collins. Congressman Collins is the nominee to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“Caring for our veterans is a top priority for President Trump and Republicans.

“As Abraham Lincoln famously said, our nation has a duty to ‘care for him who shall have born the battle.’

“That is why I am glad President Trump nominated Congressman Collins.

“Congressman Collins knows what it means to be a veteran because he is a veteran.

“He deployed to Iraq as a military chaplain. He visited wounded servicemembers in the hospital. He prayed with them. He comforted them.

“In Congress, Congressman Collins continued to serve our veterans.

“Congressman Collins received bipartisan support from the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee. The vote was 18 in favor and only 1 against. Looking at his record, it is obvious why.

“Congressman Collins will improve veterans’ access to care, not impede it. He will also address the alarming rate of veteran suicide and homelessness.

“As he told the Committee, ‘We will not stop until we succeed on behalf of the men and women who have worn the uniform.’

“Congressman Doug Collins will pursue his mission with duty and devotion.

“He has my full support.”