The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to commence mass layoffs as early as June, a move driven by efforts from former President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk to significantly reduce the size of the federal government. The agency plans to cut over 80,000 positions, surpassing job reduction proposals at other federal entities. This decision targets a department responsible for supporting U.S. military veterans, a group that usually enjoys substantial bipartisan backing.
A memo reviewed by Reuters instructs the VA's human resources team to scrutinize the agency's operations in preparation for potential layoffs. This review is slated for completion by June, after which the department will launch a "reduction in force," or RIF, across the agency. The memo, dated March 6, outlines these steps as part of a broader governmental downsizing strategy.
The proposed cuts have sparked widespread concern among various stakeholders, including veterans' groups, Democrats, and some Republicans. Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina criticized the decision as "political malpractice," particularly for not involving Congress in the planning of these measures. Meanwhile, Patty Murray, the leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, condemned the job cuts as an intensification of what she described as a "full-scale, no-holds-barred assault on veterans" by President Trump. Murray also warned that these layoffs could put veterans' health benefits in "grave danger."
In response to the backlash, the VA directed Reuters to an opinion piece by VA Secretary Doug Collins published in The Hill. In his article, Collins defended the planned reductions as both "thorough and thoughtful," emphasizing the need for efficiency within the department.
Despite assurances from the VA regarding the careful consideration behind these layoffs, the move has heightened anxiety about their potential impact on services provided to veterans. With over 80,000 jobs at risk, the impending cuts are poised to significantly alter the landscape of federal employment and veteran support services.
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