Senate Democrats are pushing for measures to revive veterans who have been recently fired from the federal government, part of President Trump's drastic move to significantly reduce the federal workforce.
The mass shootings led by tech billionaire and White House advisor Elon Musk have affected an estimated 6,000 veterans. The total accounts for around 30% of the federal workforce, according to the department of Senator Andy Kim (DN.J.).
“These veterans not only stepped up to wear uniforms in our country, they also chose to continue public service in the federal workforce,” Kim said in a statement on the Democratic proposal in the Senate. “Everyone brings this mixed chaos to them and puts their and their families' livelihoods in such a way.”
A similar bill has been proposed in the House.
The Trump administration defends mass shootings that have affected tens of thousands of jobs, including those held by veterans.
“You know, we care a lot about veterans. That's something the president has always cared about, and anyone who serves this country,” Trump adviser Alana Haba said last week. “But at the same time, we have taxpayer dollars. We have a financial responsibility to pay taxpayer dollars to those who actually work.”
“We're going to take care of them the right way, but perhaps they're not worthy of work at this point or willing to come to work,” she added.
The Democratic law proposed would require the Trump administration to submit a quarterly report to Congress detailing veterans who have been excluded from federal jobs.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a combat veteran and one of the bill's sponsors, called for bipartisan support for the measure.
“Our bill message is simple: we'll bring work back to our heroes,” she said in a statement.
Republicans have a narrow majority in the House and Senate. GOP lawmakers are not trying to bore Trump to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) via Musk, but some have expressed personal frustration.
