Doug Collins named designated survivor for joint address to Congress

WASHINGTON

US Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has been named the designated survivor for President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

Collins, a former Georgia congressman, has been selected as the "designated survivor," meaning he will watch from a separate, secure area while Trump and other officials in the presidential line of succession gather for the address, several US media outlets reported, citing a White House official.

Each time the president delivers a joint congressional address, one Cabinet official in the presidential line of succession is chosen to stay away as a precautionary measure. The tradition is intended to preserve leadership in case of an emergency.