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19h ago

VA Secretary Faces Bipartisan Scrutiny Over Workforce Reduction Plans

Doug Collins defends potential 80,000 job cuts as a restructuring goal while lawmakers raise concerns about veteran care and transparency.

Stethoscope lies on the uniform of a US soldier.
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U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025.

Overview

  • VA Secretary Doug Collins testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, describing the 15% workforce reduction as a goal rather than a fixed target.
  • The proposed cuts aim to eliminate non-essential roles, such as interior designers and DEI staff, while preserving front-line healthcare positions like doctors and nurses.
  • Lawmakers from both parties expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and potential impacts on veteran care, including delays in mammograms and prosthetic services.
  • Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduced bills to restore union rights for VA clinical staff and require notice and justification for changes to Veterans Crisis Line staffing.
  • The White House budget proposes a 4% increase in veterans’ program funding, even as the VA considers significant staffing and contract reductions.