Collins will stay away from the US Capitol, fulfilling the annual task of remaining outside the House chamber during the president’s speech in case disaster strikes.

Collins became Veterans Affairs secretary on February 5.

The Veterans Affairs secretary is 17th in the presidential line of succession, which was outlined in the Presidential Succession Act of 1792 and updated during the Truman administration’s Presidential Succession Act of 1947.

For Trump’s first speech to Congress in 2017, Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin was the designated survivor. The next year, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue had the honor. Energy Secretary Rick Perry held the role in 2019, and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in 2020.

Most of Trump’s Cabinet picks for his new term have been confirmed by Congress. Trump’s selection for Labor secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, has not been confirmed and therefore is not eligible to be in the line of succession.