Overview

• The VA reversed its original goal of 80,000 layoffs and now plans to reduce staff by almost 30,000 by the end of fiscal 2025
• Workforce cuts will rely on the extended federal hiring freeze, voluntary early retirements, deferred resignations and normal attrition
• Agency leaders say all mission-critical roles are exempt and veteran health care and benefits will remain protected
• The VA’s headcount fell from about 484,000 employees in January to 467,000 by June with roughly 12,000 more exits expected by September
• Senator Richard Blumenthal and advocacy groups warn that large-scale departures risk eroding staff morale and service quality despite official assurances