Former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins was back before members of the U.S. Senate for the next step in the confirmation process to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee advanced the nomination of Doug Collins to be the next secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, paving the way for a vote by the full Senate.

Veterans affairs secretary nominee Doug Collins pledged to be a fierce defender of the department’s workforce and for veterans during his senate confirmation hearing. The former Georgia congressman testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Tuesday after President Donald Trump picked him to lead the agency.