Mar 07, 2025
WASHINGTON — Last week I voiced the VFW’s concerns about the indiscriminate firings of veterans across our federal government. We heard from our members across the country about the effects this was having on their livelihoods and the care veterans seek at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I urged the use of a scalpel instead of a chain saw when seeking to right size VA. We feel this way because the men and women who served our country deserve that consideration when making decisions that are this serious.
Earlier this week, VA announced its plans to reduce the VA workforce by an additional 83,000 employees. The VFW sees no scenario where that would not affect veterans care and benefits. Once again, it is concerning that the announced cuts would be harmful to veterans.
Thankfully, yesterday at a press conference, President Trump made it clear he was directing the Cabinet secretaries to take the lead on right sizing their respective departments instead of DOGE. President Trump stated, “I don’t want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut.” Later in a social media post the president wrote, “We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet.’” The VFW agrees with that sentiment, and we are glad to hear the administration has heard the concerns of groups like the VFW.
We now call upon VA to reconsider its planned reduction of 83,000 employees and thoroughly review any proposed cuts prior to rolling out further announcements like this. Again, a scalpel is the preferred tool when making these precise cuts, especially when, at this very moment, veteran employees are indeed fit to have jobs still serving their fellow veterans and the country.
The VFW supports the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse in our government. I told Secretary Collins earlier this week that we agree that there are areas at VA where we can tighten the belt. And the VFW will work with Secretary Collins and other veteran groups to help identify processes that need to be more efficient, so veterans remain the focus at VA. We call on all veterans who have not yet engaged on this issue to follow us in making your voice heard. If veterans won’t stand up for one another, then who will?
Our leaders in Washington, D.C., must “Honor the Contract” we all signed when we joined the military. Making sure veterans care and benefits remain fully funded and appropriately staffed to carry out this critical mission is incredibly important. We fulfilled our part of the contract we signed, and we expect our elected and appointed leaders to do the same.