The Veterans Affairs Bureau (VA) has rejected more than 1,000 new employees as part of a wave of federal layoffs that began this week. We are concerned that the fire could affect benefits for former service members.
Those rejected include “non-mission-critical” probation employees who have been working for less than two years, according to a VA statement released late Thursday.
The VA says layoffs will save more than $98 million a year on agencies and will redirect resources to healthcare, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.
“Currently, we have over 43,000 probation employees throughout the department, mostly supporting perks and services for VA beneficiaries or are subject to collective bargaining, so we are committed to missions. He is exempt from today's HR action as he serves in a critical position, the VA statement said.
But some lawmakers layoffs — President Trump and some of his administration's efforts to cut 2.4 million civil servant workers have created chaos within the VA, with agents providing lifelong care and benefits It warns nine million veterans of this devastating condition.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash) said the layoffs had impacted VA researchers working on mental health, cancer treatments, alcohol and opioid addiction, prosthetics and burning pit exposure.
In a statement Thursday, Murray said she heard from researchers in her state's Virginia state. [Musk] They decided to fire these researchers on a whim. ”
And Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said the “indiscriminatory” shootings, including veterans, were “a direct attack on veterans and their families.”
“Firing 1,000 VA staff will not reveal anything to help serve veterans. Instead, already short staff and complex navigation are disrupted and uncertain about the complex system. We plant sex,” Schultz said in a statement Friday.
For at least five years, VA hospitals have suffered major staffing shortages, particularly among doctors, nurses and psychologists. August Report From the VA inspector.
In a statement, VA Executive Director Doug Collins said the layoffs were “a tough decision,” but “is the right call to better support veterans, families, caregivers and survivors.” He said.
He also argued that the termination would not have a negative impact on VA healthcare, benefits or beneficiaries. However, some veteran groups and lawmakers are worried that the round of shooting will ultimately harm veterans.
It includes Officers Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), as well as Rep. Mark Takano, who joined the union representing veterans, VA employees and veterans. -It was a message from the Caliph). “On Thursday outside Virginia headquarters, I defend against what is called assault from Trump and Musk, who are leading a task force that seeks to cut government spending in the Virginia workforce.
Trump “doesn't believe in service, don't believe in sacrifice,” Van Hollen said. “This is someone who directed the key to Eron Musk to federal agencies, including the Bureau of Veterans Affairs. This has nothing to do with efficiency.”
