Special Poll
Democrats Criticize Trump’s Plan to Cut 80,000 Jobs at VA
Democratic lawmakers and veterans’ groups are expressing outrage over the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) plan to eliminate approximately 80,000 jobs in the coming months. They argue that the decision lacks transparency and are frustrated by the lack of opposition from Republican colleagues.
VA officials insist that the workforce reduction will not disrupt medical care or benefits for veterans. VA Secretary Doug Collins, who confirmed the planned layoffs on Wednesday, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but defended it as necessary for the department’s long-term stability.
However, Democrats say they have yet to receive clear answers regarding the dismissals, which were revealed in a leaked memo on Tuesday. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about previous rounds of layoffs that affected thousands of VA employees last month. They are demanding details on who will be affected, the reasoning behind the cuts, and how they will impact VA medical facilities and administrative offices.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, called the move “a gut punch” and described it as “breathtaking in its potential significance, as well as its malevolence and cruelty” toward veterans.
“We’re witnessing the systematic dismantling of the VA,” Blumenthal told reporters in a virtual press conference on Thursday. “This administration is recklessly slashing critical services, treating veterans as expendable in a misguided effort to save money for tax cuts.”
He further criticized the decision, stating, “They claim to be cutting waste, but they are gutting the VA with a meat axe.”
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, echoed Blumenthal’s concerns, calling the administration’s approach “incomprehensible.”
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over the future of veterans’ healthcare and benefits, with Democrats arguing that the job cuts will have long-term consequences for those who have served in the military. As the debate continues, many are calling for greater oversight and a clearer explanation from the administration.