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Trump Nominees Stefanik and Collins Testify at Senate Hearings for UN Ambassador and VA Secretary

Jan 21, 2025, 03:05 PM

On January 21, 2025, at 10 AM ET, Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Doug Collins, nominated by President Donald Trump for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of Veterans Affairs respectively, testified before the Senate in their confirmation hearings. Stefanik appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where she was expected to be questioned about her views on international conflicts including the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, as well as the North Korean and Iranian nuclear programs. She received bipartisan praise, with Republican Senators Tom Cotton and Shelley Moore Capito endorsing her nomination, and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen acknowledging her strong credentials and relevant experience. Collins, a colonel and chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command who served in Iraq in 2008, testified before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Holding his dog tags during his testimony, Collins emphasized his commitment to veterans, stating, "These are my dog tags — they're a reminder, just like every other veteran who served, that we're part of a bigger union." He received support from colleagues, including Representative Austin Scott, who urged the Senate to confirm him quickly.